Hogenakkal inflow rises to 12,000 cusecs as Karnataka steps up Cauvery release

Chennai, Aug 22 (IANS) The inflow into the Cauvery at Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu increased to 12,000 cusecs on Saturday, following sustained water releases from Karnataka’s Kabini and Krishnarajasagar (KRS) reservoirs. The inflow at Hogenakkal was recorded at 10,000 cusecs at 6 a.m. before rising by another 2,000 cusecs.

The Dharmapuri district administration has continued its ban on coracle operations as a precautionary measure to protect tourists amid the increased flow.

Officials of the Central Water Commission are closely monitoring the river’s flow at Biligundlu on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border, where the quantity of Cauvery water entering Tamil Nadu is measured. The rise follows the combined release of 14,940 cusecs from the KRS and Kabini dams. While 2,000 cusecs were being discharged from KRS, Kabini was releasing 12,940 cusecs into the Cauvery system.

The KRS reservoir, built across the Cauvery near Kannambadi in Srirangapatna taluk of Karnataka’s Mandya district, recorded a water level of 108.95 feet at 8 p.m. on Friday. Its maximum level is 124.80 feet. The reservoir was receiving an inflow of 1,551 cusecs while maintaining an outflow of 2,000 cusecs.

Kabini Dam, located across the Kapila River near Beechanahalli in H.D. Kote taluk of Mysuru district, has been making sustained releases following directions from the Cauvery Water Management Authority. Nearly 4.95 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water was released from Kabini to Tamil Nadu over nine days between August 13 and Friday.

The continuous discharge caused the reservoir’s water level to fall by around seven feet during the period. Kabini’s water level, which stood at 2,282 feet on August 13, had declined to 2,275.56 feet by 8 a.m. on Friday, against its maximum elevation of 2,284 feet. The reservoir held approximately 14.57 TMC of water against its total storage capacity of 19.52 TMC. At the same time, Kabini was receiving 7,184 cusecs, considerably lower than its discharge of 12,940 cusecs.

Authorities are continuing to monitor water levels and flow at Hogenakkal and other locations along the Cauvery. Restrictions on tourist activities, particularly coracle rides, will remain in force until the flow subsides to safer levels.

–IANS

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