MANDYA: Despite heavy rainfall in the south-interior parts of the state, the Cauvery basin has not received much rain, which is a matter for concern for people. As a result of the poor rainfall, the water level at the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (KRS Dam) in Srirangapatna taluk has dropped to 82 feet, the lowest recorded in the last five years.
There is a possibility that the KRS Dam could go dry if the monsoon is not good and Bengaluru, Mysuru and other cities could face drinking water shortage. Farmers living in villages close to the dam are worried about the depleting water level in the dam. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 49.452 tmcft and currently, the stored water is only about 11.990 tmcft.
As of now, there is enough water in the reservoir to meet the drinking water needs and there will be no problems till the end of summer. Last year, there was good pre-monsoon rain in the months of March, April and May. As a result the inflow into the reservoir was high during the summer season.