Flood threat across Karnataka as Cauvery and Krishna dams near full capacity

Bengaluru rains (file photo)

Authorities in Karnataka issued a flood alert for low-lying areas along the River Cauvery on Tuesday following continuous heavy rainfall that has pushed major reservoirs in the state, including the Krishnarajasagar (KRS), dangerously close to full capacity.

As per The Indian Express, the KRS dam — the largest in the Cauvery basin and a key water source for Bengaluru — was holding 44.04 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water as of Tuesday morning, with the water level reaching 120.78 feet. The dam’s maximum capacity is 124.8 feet. Officials warned that surplus water, ranging between 15,000 to 30,000 cusecs, may soon be released downstream depending on inflows and this volume may be increased at any time.

The Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited has reportedly advised residents living in low-lying areas and along the riverbanks to shift to safer locations. “There is a likelihood of releasing surplus water varying from 15,000 to 30,000 cusecs and this may be increased at any moment,” the warning message stated.

In just a week, the KRS has received over 12 TMC of water, a sharp rise from the 31.32 TMC gross storage on 18 June. This marks a threefold increase compared to last year, when the reservoir held only 14.59 TMC, The Indian Express reported.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the state until June 27, forecasting continued heavy rainfall. A combination of intense pre-monsoon showers in May and the early onset of the southwest monsoon has rapidly increased water inflow to the dam, which typically fills only by late July or early August.

The situation is similar across other major reservoirs in the region. The four dams in the Cauvery basin are currently storing 97.51 TMC of water — up significantly from 37.96 TMC recorded on the same date in 2024. These dams have a combined maximum storage capacity of 114.57 TMC.

The Indian Express further reported that large dams across the Krishna River in north Karnataka are also reporting high inflows. The Almatti dam, with a gross storage of 76.58 TMC on Tuesday, had an inflow of 83,426 cusecs and an outflow of 67,000 cusecs being maintained by dam authorities. Last year on the same date, the dam’s storage stood at only 31.03 TMC.

Across the Krishna basin, six dams are currently holding 221.65 TMC of water against a total capacity of 422.45 TMC, a considerable jump from the 87.55 TMC stored last year.