“A decision on opening the dam can be taken only if the water level crosses a comfortable 60 feet mark, as against its full reservoir capacity of 120 feet. There is a possibility for the inflow into the dam to surge once Karnataka releases the water,” said an official.

The water level in the dam dipped to 47.17 feet on Tuesday due to lack of rains. Inflow into the dam is a meagre 51 cusecs, while 1000 cusecs is being released for drinking water purposes.

The dam was last opened on June 12 in 2011. Thereafter for the last eight consecutive years, officials missed the customary date due to poor storage level. Last year, the dam’s opening was delayed by over a month (July 19).

The dam, which reached its full reservoir level in 2018 following heavy rains, serves as a major drinking water source, while the delta districts are dependent on its water for irrigation purpose.