Karnataka increases water release rate; Mettur dam set to reach full capacity

SALEM: Water level in the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur is expected to reach its full capacity of 120 feet within a week for the first time this year as Karnataka started releasing 50,000 cusecs from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam on Wednesday. Karnataka issued a flood alert to areas along the Cauvery river. Officials in the neighbouring state indicated that they may increase the discharge rate as catchment areas were receiving heavy rain.

Tamil Nadu water resources department officials indicated that water released from the KRS dam was expected to arrive at the Mettur dam by Thursday evening. As of Wednesday, the Mettur dam's water level stood at 112.85 feet.

The catchment areas of the KRS dam in Karnataka and the Kabini dam area in Kerala are experiencing continuous rainfall.

Karnataka's water resources department officials anticipate that the southwest monsoon will strengthen in the first week of July. An official said the KRS dam was approaching its full capacity of 124.8 feet, with the water level recorded at 120 feet on Wednesday, holding a capacity of 49.45 TMC feet.

The Kabini dam was also nearing its full capacity of 65 feet, with its current water level at 59.21 feet. Reports indicate that 12,000 cubic feet of water was being released from the Kabini dam, which is expected to reach the Mettur dam in a day or two.