The copious discharge from Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) has flooded a majority of the 34 islands at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary on the banks of the Cauvery, near Srirangapatna in Mandya district on Tuesday.
Visitors were not allowed into the sanctuary, a popular tourist spot, from Tuesday afternoon as a precautionary measure. Boating rides offered by the Forest Department have been suspended indefinitely since August 9.
The Cauvery has been flowing precariously and its waters have entered even the pathways and entrance of the boating counter at the bird sanctuary. The department has erected barricades at the hanging bridge and watch tower.
Water has also entered some other places where visitors usually walk to enjoy the scenic beauty of the sanctuary. “Considering the safety of visitors, we have closed the bird sanctuary and installed boards near the entrance to inform those coming,” a forest official said. While eggs, nests and fledglings have been washed away in the waters, adult birds have escaped from the flood, he added.
The bird sanctuary is considered the best and safest place for migratory birds for nesting and breeding. It attracts at least 60,000 migratory birds every year.
Fields flooded
Several low-lying areas downstream of the KRS in Mandya district were flooded, with the Irrigation Department increasing the rate of water discharge to over 1 lakh cusecs.
The discharge to the Cauvery from the reservoir was at the rate of 58,021 cusecs at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. But the authorities increased the outflow rate to 1 lakh cusecs by noon to cope with the increased inflow. Subsequently, the deluge in the river has turned into a cause for concern for many living in low-lying areas downstream of the reservoir.
The flow in the river was heavy when The Hindu visited Srirangapatna, Paschima Vahini, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Ganjam, Gosai Ghat, Nimishambha Temple area, Balamuri waterfalls, Arakere, and Mahadevapura in the morning. Many agricultural fields were flooded near Dakshina Cauvery, Srirangapatna railway station, Arakere, Mahadevapura and some other villages.
Some community halls or choultries at Paschima Vahini were seen encircled by the Cauvery waters. The historical Wellesley Bridge at Srirangapatna is close to being submerged. Residents, shopkeepers and priests said the flood-like situation has affected their life.
According to the Revenue and Police departments, nearly two dozens of villages on either side of the Cauvery are in the grip of floods.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner H.N. Shailaja, Pandavapura revenue sub-division, conducted a survey of some vulnerable areas on Tuesday. “I inspected Enne Hole Koppalu, Bete Thimmana Koppalu, Cheluvarasana Koppalu and other villages,” she said.
Officials have cautioned people residing in low-lying areas and devotees at Srirangapatna not to take bath in the river, she added.