Water was released from Bhadra reservoir into the river on Tuesday as the storage was nearing its full capacity owing to good inflow from the catchment areas.
When the water level touched 184 feet mark on Tuesday against the full reservoir level of 186 feet, water was discharged at 6,032 cusecs into the river by lifting four crest gates as a precautionary measure.
On Tuesday, the inflow was recorded at 23,225 cusecs here.
Bhadra Command Area Development Authority officials said that as heavy rain continue in the catchment areas, the inflow is expected to enhance further.
To ensure safety of the reservoir and to avoid flooding in the downstream areas, water is being released to the river to maintain a 2 feet gap to full reservoir level of 186 feet, the officials said.
The water level in the reservoir, constructed in 1962, has reached brim on 35 times and the last occasion was in 2014. The water level has reached brim in the month of July on three occasions in the past.
The total live storage capacity of the reservoir is at 63 tmcft against which the present live storage is at 59 tmcft.
The reservoir has received 50 tmcft water this July. More than one lakh hectares in Shivamogga, Davangere and Chikkamagalur districts falls under the command area of Bhadra reservoir. Owing to poor water storage in the reservoir in the year 2017, the water was not released to the canals for cultivation of kharif crops.
As the catchment areas of the reservoir has received ample rains this year, water is being released to the canals from July 12 for cultivation of kharif crops.
More than 100 human habitats in Shivamogga, Chitradurga, Davangere, Ballari and Gadag districts rely on water from Bhadra reservoir for drinking.
Published - July 24, 2018 10:07 pm IST
