While the Tamil Nadu CM has threatened to file a contempt of court petition against the Karnataka government for not releasing Cauvery water, inflow into reservoirs across the Cauvery basin in the state is gradually increasing, thanks to heavy rain that lashed Bhagamandala and Madikeri over the last two days. However, the water in the reservoirs is not adequate to release 10 tmcft of water to TN as directed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
According to the Water Resources Department, on Saturday, the inflow at Harangi was 1,836 cusecs, at Hemavathi, 2,579 cusecs, KRS, 6,231 cusecs and Kabini is receiving water at the rate of 5,659 cusecs. Therefore, water is flowing into all the four reservoirs at a combined rate of 16,205 cusecs. The water level in Harangi as on June 15 is 2,788.66 ft, Hemavathi, 2,845 ft, KRS, 60 ft and Kabini 2,249 ft.
Yagachi reservoir is full and the water is being let out to Harangi from there. Yagachi has a storage of around 1.5 to 2 tmcft. All the four reservoirs - Haranagi, Hemavathi, KRS and Kabini - have a combined live storage of 6.54 tmcft, which is much less than 10 tmcft demanded by TN.
Met Department Director B Puttanna said, “Bhagamandala and Somwarpet have received 11 and 9 cm of rainfall, respectively in the last 24 hours. The rainfall is set to increase in these areas and there will be adequate rainfall this year. Except Chamarajanagar and Yadgir, all the other districts have received more than average rainfall.”