MANDYA: With heavy rain lashing the Cauvery catchment area, there is increased inflow at the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam. In view of this, the Irrigation Deparment is currently releasing 91,000 cusecs of water into the river.
As a result, the water level in the Cauvery river has sharply risen, almost up to the level of the Wellesley bridge at Srirangapatna, built in 1804. The bridge has been closed for traffic for many years after a new bridge was constructed. Recently, another bridge was constructed as part of the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway project.
The rising water level has led to the fear of flooding along the banks of the river in Mandya district. However, the district administration or the police has made no arrangements to post security personnel or police at places like Paschimavahini, which are frequented by people. Conducting of last rites at Paschimavahini has been stopped for now in view of the increased water level.
