Mysuru: The Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam has begun to release water following the recent incessant downpour in the state, which has prompted the authorities to restrict visitors. At present, water is being released from 30 crest gates at the rate of 65,000 cusecs, which will be stepped up gradually, depending on the rate of inflow into the reservoir. The decision to restrict visitors to the dam was taken on Sunday, July 15.
Ove the past couple of days, the dam has seen a large number of visitors not just from the state but also from across the country and abroad. They were disappointed on Sunday when they were turned away by the authorities, who restricted entry to the dam.
The crest gates of the dam were opened on Saturday when the reservoir began nearing full capacity. The water level was hovering at about 124 ft as against its maximum capacity of 124.8 ft. It is protocol to maintain a cushion of nearly two feet as a safety measure, in case of incessant rains in the catchment area of the Cauvery. After nearly 38 years, the KRS has attained the Full Reservoir Level (FRL), as early as the second week of July, the last time being in 1980. In the last 50 years, the KRS has attained the FRL in July on five occasions.
