The water level in Karnataka’s crucial Krishnaraja Sagara (KRS) reservoir has slipped below a key threshold, dropping to 99.4 feet against its full capacity of 124.8 feet, raising fresh concerns over irrigation planning ahead of the peak summer season.
According to official updates, the decline is primarily due to an intensifying early-summer heatwave, which has increased evaporation and reduced storage levels in the reservoir. Despite the drop, authorities have clarified that there is no immediate threat to drinking water supply for Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, and Ramanagara, provided usage remains regulated.
However, officials have issued a clear advisory urging farmers to avoid cultivating water-intensive summer crops, warning that current inflows are significantly lower than outflows. The reservoir is receiving around 80 cusecs of inflow, while the outflow exceeds 4,300 cusecs, largely driven by drinking water supply and irrigation demands.
Water management authorities, including the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, have assured that the region’s drinking water needs will remain stable until the onset of the monsoon in June, though they emphasized the importance of judicious water usage and conservation measures in the coming weeks.
The KRS reservoir, a vital water source for southern Karnataka, plays a critical role in both urban supply and agricultural irrigation, making its declining levels a key concern as temperatures continue to rise.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, with further advisories expected depending on rainfall and inflow trends in the coming weeks.
