The Central Water Commission issued a flood alert for areas along the banks of the Cauvery River after the Karnataka government's decision to increase the water released to Mettur dam from Krishnarajasagara (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs.
80,000 cusecs of water was released from the Kabini reservoir, even as 42,000 cusecs of water was released from KRS dam.The downstream areas of the rivers have been put on high alert. More than 1,20,000 cusecs of water is expected to reach Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu in the next 44 hours.
The discharge of water from the dams is the highest in recent years.
The alert was issued for Mysuru and Chamarajanagara districts in Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu including Erode and Salem districts.
The alert was issued after as heavy rains pounded down on Malnad region of southern Karnataka and Wayanad in Kerala, which is a major catchment area of the Cauvery River. This resulted in heavy inflow of water into Kabini and KRS reservoirs.
The highest water level was recorded at Muthenkere on the upstream of the Kabini Reservoir at 713.45 mm at 4 am on Friday morning with trends of water continuing to rise.
Few places in Nanjangud taluk of Mysuru district were inundated on Thursday prompting local authorities to start rescue operations. The district administration said that people have been safely evacuated from the flood-hit areas.
NDRF personnel are currently stationed in Mysuru and will be dispatched if required.
The CWC is issuing regular updates to local authorities in Mysuru district and revenue officials under the leadership of tehsildars will be coordinating evacuation exercises.
The decision to release more water was taken on the request of the government of Kerala. Kerala is still reeling under intense rainfall, and has been forced to open 24 dams across the state.
The Karnataka CM Office confirmed water was released from the Kabini reservoir on the request of the Kerala government. "On request of Kerala government, water is being released from Kabini reservoir as the backwaters are adding to the woes of flood hit Kerala,” Chief Minister Kumaraswamy said in a statement.