CHENNAI: The inflow into Mettur dam has increased to 7,151 cusecs from 5,760 cusecs, following the continued release of Cauvery water from Karnataka into Tamil Nadu.
According to a Daily Thanthi report, the southwest monsoon has intensified in Karnataka over the past few days, increasing inflows into several reservoirs in the Cauvery basin. As the reservoirs filled up, water was released from the Kabini dam into the Cauvery for Tamil Nadu from August 1.
The quantum of water released from Kabini has been increased or reduced depending on the inflow into the reservoir. At its peak, the release was increased to 27,000 cusecs. The Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam also released around 1,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
However, rainfall in the Cauvery catchment areas subsequently reduced, resulting in a fall in inflows into the reservoirs in Karnataka. Consequently, the amount of water released to Tamil Nadu was also gradually reduced.
Despite the reduction in releases, the water released from Karnataka continues to reach Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu.
As per the latest readings on Tuesday morning, the inflow at Hogenakkal increased from 5,760 cusecs to 7,151 cusecs. Around 1,500 cusecs of water is currently being released from Mettur dam to meet drinking water requirements.