Mandya: Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, one of the most important reservoirs in Karnataka, still supplies water for irrigation, drinking, and hydroelectric needs of the Cauvery basin. The reservoir water level is currently 91.95 feet, far below its maximum level of 124.80 feet, according to the latest official update.
The reservoir is receiving 713 cusecs; the outflow is 1,578 cusecs. Since the outflow is above the inflow, water storage is expected to decrease gradually if rainfall is anticipated in catchment areas in the next few days.
The maximum storage capacity of the KRS Dam is 49.452 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet). At present, the reservoir has 17.132 TMC of water, or roughly one-third of its full storage capacity. Water resource officials continue to monitor the situation closely as the monsoon season goes on.
The KRS Dam is near Mandya and is the lifeline for many districts in southern Karnataka. Water from the reservoir provides irrigation on thousands of hectares of agricultural land, especially in Mandya, Mysuru and the region around it, where crops like paddy, sugarcane and many other water-intensive crops rely on Cauvery water.
Apart from agriculture, the dam is also a major source of drinking water for cities like Mysuru and Bengaluru. Therefore, keeping adequate storage in the reservoir is necessary to be able to provide domestic water to meet demand during the dry months (when demand is high).
With a current storage of 17.132 TMC, farmers and water managers are closely watching rainfall patterns in the Cauvery catchment area of Karnataka and neighboring Kerala. Heavy rainfall in these regions generally leads to increased inflows into the KRS reservoir, improving water availability for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Officials will regulate the release of water based on agricultural demand, downstream river flow requirements, and drinking water needs. The current outflow of 1,578 cusecs is being managed to ensure the distribution is balanced and there is enough storage for future needs.
The southwest monsoon is still a crucial component in the reservoir’s water level in the next few weeks. If it rains more in the catchment area, inflows will increase drastically, and the reservoir will be able to recover and get closer to its full capacity. Conversely, lower normal rainfall might still limit storage.
Residents, farmers and stakeholders should keep track of official reservoir updates issued by the Water Resources Department, since water levels can change rapidly with rainfall and river inflows.
KRS Dam Water Level at a Glance. Particulars Details. Maximum Water Level 124.80 feet. Current Water Level 91.95 feet. Current Inflow 713 cusecs. Current Outflow 1,578 cusecs. Maximum Storage Capacity 49.452 TMC. Current Storage 17.132 TMC
The KRS Dam is still able to hold a considerable water supply, but monsoon rainfall will be essential to enhance reservoir levels and to ensure food security and supplies for agriculture, drinking water, and other essential uses in southern Karnataka in the next few years, in line with recent data.
