Major reservoirs in the state have got a combined storage of 78% of their total capacity. This raises the possibility of water going waste into the sea when the northeast monsoon commences in full swing. The retreating southwest monsoon has proved bountiful over the last few days.
The storage at Mettur reservoir in Salem district stood at 54tmcft on Monday as against a total capacity of 93tmcft. The water level stood at 91ft against the full reservoir level of 120ft. There was inflow of 16,197cusecs (cubic feet per second) into the reservoir. The level may cross 100ft in a week if the same inflow continues, said a PWD official. The discharge is maintained at 100 cusecs into the river for drinking water purpose and 550cusecs into the east and west bank canals.
The Karnataka government is discharging around 4,000 cusecs into the Cauvery from Kabini and Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dams.