The Irrigation Department has increased discharge of water from the Kabini reservoir at Beechanahalli in H.D. Kote. This is following good inflow after heavy rain in the catchment area of the river.
Executive Engineer Raghupathy told The Hindu that discharge was increased from a rate of 16,000 cusecs to nearly 18,000 cusecs late on Thursday.
“There are indications that the catchment area at Wayanad in Kerala has been receiving good rainfall. As a result, we expect the rate of inflow into the reservoir to increase,” he said.
The water-level in the reservoir was 2,280.9 ft on Thursday evening as against the full reservoir level of 2,284 ft.
The rate of inflow was 20,000 cusecs, while the rate of outflow was 18,000 cusecs.
“As the dam is approaching the FRL and there are indications of more rain in the catchment area, we will not store any water as it will jeopardise the safety of the dam,” said Mr. Raghupathy said.
In view of the increase in outflow, the authorities have issued flood warnings and told people living on the banks along the downstream of the river to move to safe places.
The water-level in the Harangi dam was 2,856.61 ft against the FRL of 2,859 ft. The inflow was at the rate of 9,191 cusecs, while the outflow was at the rate of 4,500 cusecs.
The water-level in the corresponding period last year was 2,856 feet.
(The Hindu)
