The state government released water from Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir to Tamil Nadu in keeping with the Supreme Court directions.
With the Apex Court directing the release of 2.44 tmc ft of water in 10 days for samba crops in Tamil Nadu, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders in and round KRS. Roads leading to the dam were closed and tourists barred before water was released around 12 noon.
Officials released 2,400 cusecs from one of the sluice gates under police cover.
This would continue for a couple of days as the review petition filed by Karnataka would come up before the court on Monday.
Weekend tourists were the worst affected as Brindavan Gardens was closed. Senior officials were camping at the KRS.