The officials at KRS reservoir have taken all precautionary measures as the water level has reached the danger mark.

Currently, the water level at the reservoir is 124.23 ft as against the maximum level of 124.80ft. Last year on this date, the water level at the reservoir was 75.27 ft. The inflow to the reservoir is 22,630 cusecs and the outflow is 37,792 cusecs.

The water from the reservoir is being released from 11 crust gates to the river and canals. The officials are not allowing any of the vehicles or public on the dam as the water level has touched the danger level. This apart, the inflow is expected to increase further due to non-stop rainfall in the catchment areas of River Cauvery.

The water from Harangi Reservoir and Lakshman Theertha also flow into KRS reservoir, thus increasing the inflow.

This is the fifth occasion where the water level of the reservoir has reached the maximum level. It was during 1936, 1940, 1961, 2007-08 the reservoir was full before the month of August- September and again this year the reservoir is full prematurely.

At the Ranganathittu bird sanctuary where boating has been stopped owing to the river in spate, the revenue has declined.

More than three lakh tourists had visited the Bird Sanctuary last year, including 29,000 foreign tourists, said DCF Devaraj and added that the total revenue collected was Rs. 2.5 crore. He also said that this is the second highest revenue earner in Mandya district, after KRS dam.

At present, swarms of Egrets and Ibis, the aquatic birds, have scaled to higher perches to escape from the rising water while Pelicans, Herons and Painted Storks have flown away after breeding.

No untoward incidents have been reported due to the flash floods except the death of a farmer during 1991, said the DCF Devaraj.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore