The Karnataka Water Resources Department has increased water release from the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir to 7,151 cusecs, even as the state government has sought a reduction in the Cauvery water being released to Tamil Nadu. The water is being released through the Cauvery river and canals for drinking water needs and lake filling, according to information issued by the department.
The outflow had been reduced over the previous few days. By Saturday evening, it had been raised to 5,000 cusecs, and the same quantity was flowing through the Cauvery river on Sunday morning. The release was increased to 7,151 cusecs by Sunday night.
The department’s figures showed that the KRS reservoir’s water level had reached 106 feet by Sunday evening. The reservoir had 19.50 thousand million cubic feet (TMC ft) of stored water at the time, while inflows stood at 4,087 cusecs.
The KRS reservoir has a maximum storage level of 124.80 feet and a total storage capacity of 49.45 TMC ft. The reported storage level therefore remained below the reservoir’s full capacity even as the outflow exceeded the inflow recorded on Sunday evening.
The change in release comes against the backdrop of Karnataka’s request that the quantity of Cauvery water being sent to Tamil Nadu be reduced. The report did not specify the volume covered by that request or provide details of a fresh decision on the inter-state water-sharing issue.
The release also has an operational dimension within Karnataka. The water being let out through the river and canals is intended, according to the department’s information, to serve drinking water requirements and help fill lakes. The figures do not separately identify how much of the 7,151-cusec release is being directed to the river and how much to canals.
KRS is a key reservoir in the Cauvery basin and its storage position is closely watched because changes in inflow, storage and outflow affect downstream water management. The latest figures indicate that the reservoir was receiving 4,087 cusecs while releasing 7,151 cusecs, a difference of 3,064 cusecs between inflow and outflow at the time reported.
The Water Resources Department’s next updates on reservoir storage, inflows and releases will determine how the latest change is reflected in the continuing Cauvery water-management discussions.
