The Central Water Commission (CWC) has issued an advisory to authorities cautioning them of rapid rise in water levels in Karnataka due to heavy rains in the Krishna and Cauvery basins.
A release said heavy rains in the Western Ghats have resulted in rapid rise of water levels of the Harangi and the Kabini.
The inflows into Hemavati and Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoirs have also increased. Since Kabini dam is full, strict vigil has to be maintained and releases ensured as per protocol, said the advisory.
In KRS, there was a “flood cushion” of around 14 tmcft as on July 10, 2018, and with inflow of around 2.7 tmcft to 3 tmcft per day, there were chances of KRS attaining its FRL in the next three to four days given the forecast valid for the next five days. Hence, the advisory has stated that necessary precautions to regulate the releases smoothly without creating flood-like situation in the downstream areas, have to be taken.
Likewise, Krishna, Bhima and Tungabhadra basins have been receiving heavy to very heavy rains in the last three days. As a result, inflows into Almatti dam is likely to further increase while the Tungabhadra river is likely to rise in Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, and Ballari.
The release has also called for suspension of all water-based recreational activities in the rivers during monsoon and popular river spots be manned to dissuade tourists from swimming or venturing into river.