Water levels in Karnataka’s Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs have risen after increased inflows over the past four to five days, according to a report by Prajavani. The improvement follows rainfall in Kodagu and continuing inflows into the reservoirs, although KRS remains below its full storage level after a rainfall deficit this season.
KRS was receiving 6,940 cusecs of water as of Tuesday morning, while 2,518 cusecs was being released from the reservoir. Its water level had reached 104.38 feet, an increase of about four feet after the reservoir’s level had earlier fallen to around 110 feet following the release of water.
The reservoir currently holds 26.44 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water. Its full reservoir level is 124.80 feet, with a total storage capacity of 49.45 TMC, the report said. KRS had received higher inflows during the previous four to five days, pushing up the level after it remained below its potential because of inadequate rainfall.
The reservoir was full during the same period last year, according to the report. This year, however, the water level had reached only about 110 feet before declining after water was released. The latest increase has improved storage conditions but has not brought KRS close to its full-reservoir level.
Kabini reservoir in Mysuru district has also recorded higher inflows over the past four to five days. It was receiving 3,202 cusecs of water on Tuesday morning, while 500 cusecs was being released from the reservoir.
Kabini’s water level had risen to 2,273.17 feet, with storage at 13.29 TMC. The reservoir can hold 19.52 TMC of water at full capacity. Inflows had reduced over the previous two days as rainfall in Kerala declined, but the water level continued to rise, the report said.
The two reservoirs are important components of the region’s water-storage system, and their levels are tracked through inflows, releases and available storage rather than water level alone. The latest figures show a short-term improvement in inflows, while the gap between current storage and full capacity remains significant at both reservoirs.
For KRS, current storage is about 26.44 TMC against a capacity of 49.45 TMC. Kabini holds 13.29 TMC against a capacity of 19.52 TMC. The reported releases from both reservoirs indicate that water is continuing to move downstream even as the reservoirs receive fresh inflows.
The next changes in reservoir levels will depend on inflows from the catchments in Kodagu and Kerala, along with the volume released from the dams. The figures reported on Tuesday provide the latest available snapshot of storage, inflow and outflow at KRS and Kabini.
