Bengaluru, 24 July (H.S.): Relentless rainfall across the Cauvery catchment areas in Karnataka's Kodagu district has brought the Harangi Reservoir near its full storage capacity, prompting authorities to announce the controlled release of water into the Cauvery River from Saturday afternoon.

Officials of the Harangi Irrigation Department said the reservoir has witnessed a sharp increase in inflows following continuous heavy rain in the Western Ghats and upper reaches of Kodagu over the past several days. The inflow into the reservoir has now risen to around 4,500 cusecs, causing the water level to climb rapidly.

According to the department, the reservoir currently holds water up to an elevation of 2,856 feet, leaving only about three feet before it reaches its maximum storage level. With inflows expected to remain high due to ongoing rainfall in the catchment region, authorities have decided to release approximately 5,000 cusecs of water into the Cauvery River from 2 p.m. on Saturday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the dam.

The controlled discharge is intended to regulate the reservoir's storage while accommodating additional inflows expected over the coming days. Irrigation officials said the decision was taken after closely monitoring water levels and rainfall patterns across the basin.

As a precaution, the Harangi Irrigation Department has issued an advisory to residents living along the banks of the Cauvery River downstream of the reservoir. People residing in low-lying areas have been urged to remain alert and avoid entering the river or carrying out activities along its banks once the water release begins.

Local authorities are also expected to monitor the river's flow and coordinate with district administration officials to ensure public safety. With heavy rain continuing across Kodagu, officials have advised the public to stay updated through official announcements and follow all safety instructions issued by the administration.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman