Karnataka - Mysore   

KRS reservoir drying up fast

Special Correspondent

Mysore city likely to face water crisis in the coming days

SUMMER WOES: Mysore is heading for a water crisis with the water-level in the Krishna Raja Sagar plummeting to 68.80 feet as against the full reservoir level of 124.80 feet. — PHOTO: M.A. Sriram

MYSORE: The city is heading for a drinking water crisis as water in the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir is fast drying up.

The water level in the KRS on Wednesday was 68.80 feet as against the full reservoir level (FRL) of 124.80 feet. The inflow was a measly 157 cusecs and the live storage in the dam was 4.40 tmcft.

Mysore will face a water crisis if the level plummets to the dead storage level, which is 64 feet below that water cannot flow.

The emergency pumps cannot pump water from the riverbed unless the authorities decide to install pumps in the KRS backwaters, which will be an expensive proposition.

The reservoir level during the corresponding period last year was comfortable at 83.05 feet.

This was due to excellent monsoon as a result of which the KRS maintained the FRL for more than 100 days despite a heavy outflow.

The scenario in other major reservoirs such as Kabini and Harangi is no different. While the water level at Kabini is 2,260.43 against the FRL of 2,284, it was 2,800.15 feet at Hemavathi against its FRL of 2859 feet. In addition to ensuring supply to Bangalore and other towns, the authorities are under pressure to release water for standing crops in Mandya.

Sources said water at the KRS could last for another two weeks by when the catchment area of Cauvery in Kodagu should hopefully receive the first spell of the southwest monsoon to help tide over the crisis.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Move to lease out Sewage Farm irks former mayors
`Kakana Kote' as a tribute to Lokesh
Proposal to set up panel for effective implementation of projects
KRS reservoir drying up fast
Krishna Raja Sagar drying up fast
`Drinking water contaminated'
Four of family commit suicide near Mandya
Roof of Yadavagiri High-level Reservoir collapses
Debate on hike in entry tax

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu