Bengaluru: The present water storage at the KRS Reservoir in Srirangapatna of Mandya district, a lifeline for people of Bengaluru and Mysuru to meet their drinking water needs, is sufficient for only two to three weeks.
The storage level at the dam stood at 69.33 ft as against the maximum level of 124.80 ft. The present storage is 6.85 tmc ft of water compared to 20.70 tmc ft of water on the same day last year. The inflow has dropped to 1300 cusecs with outflow at 800 cusecs. Last year, during this time, the inflow had touched around 23,000 cusecs.
"There is no need for panic. I have heard that there has been incessant rains in the catchment areas of KRS dam. I hope there will be increased inflow of water into the reservoir,” Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil told Deccan Chronicle. He admitted that the water storage at KRS has been poor owing to poor rainfall in Kerala and Kodagu districts.
But the state government was well prepared to face the situation by exploring dead storage in the dam. The monsoon has started just a few days ago and it is likely to improve in the coming days. There are reports of good rains in Maharasthra in the last one week which is indeed good new for the people of North Karnataka. "I am optimistic of increased inflow into the KRS dam that will take care of drinking water needs of people of Bengaluru and Mysuru".
