Mysuru/Belagavi, 6 July

Heavy rainfall across Karnataka and adjoining Keralam has sharply increased inflows into major reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, while swelling rivers in Belagavi district and filled the district’s Dhupadal Reservoir to capacity.

Continuous rain in the catchment areas of the Cauvery and its tributaries has raised storage levels in the Kabini, Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), Hemavathi, Harangi, Nugu and Taraka reservoirs, providing relief to farmers and strengthening drinking water supplies for Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu, Bengaluru, Ramanagara and other districts.

Kabini Reservoir recorded the sharpest rise, with the water level increasing by six feet in 24 hours to 58 feet following heavy inflows from Kerala's Wayanad region. The reservoir now holds 6.79 tmc ft against its total capacity of 19.5 tmc ft, compared with 17.52 tmc ft during the corresponding period last year. The improved storage is also expected to benefit wildlife in Bandipur, Nagarahole and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

The KRS reservoir received an inflow of 4,756 cusecs, raising its level by 1.5 feet to 81.55 feet. It currently stores 11.49 tmc ft against its full capacity of 49.5 tmc ft. Hemavathi received 6,394 cusecs and now holds 16.67 tmc ft, while Harangi, with an inflow of 1,344 cusecs, has reached 3.74 tmc ft.

In Belagavi district, the swollen Malaprabha River submerged the Sri Kshetra Habbanatti Swayambhu Maruti Temple in Khanapur taluk after days of heavy rain in the Western Ghats and Jamboti region. Authorities have advised devotees and residents in low-lying areas to shift to safer places.

Meanwhile, the Dhupadal Reservoir near Ghataprabha in Gokak taluk has reached full capacity following increased inflows from the Hiranyakeshi and Ghataprabha rivers. Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said the reservoir was receiving around 8,000 cusecs and surplus water was being released into the Ghataprabha River. Water discharge into the Left Bank Canal has been increased to 2,000 cusecs, expected to irrigate nearly 200,000 hectares during the current cropping season.