Outflow from Karnataka’s Krishnarajasagar dam crosses 1 lakh cusecs, 221-year-old Wellesley Bridge closed for vehicles
The public and tourists have been warned against swimming in waterbodies and visiting bridges and waterbodies in Karnataka’s Mandya district.
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1.20 lakh cusecs of water had been released from the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam till Monday. (Express Photo)Following incessant rain in the Cauvery river basin, 1.20 lakh cusecs of water had been released from the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam till Monday, resulting in a flood-like situation in parts of Karnataka’s Mandya district. The water had reached the brim of the 221-year-old iconic Wellesley Bridge in Srirangapatna town.
The dam, whose full capacity is 124.80 ft, had water up to 123.25 ft on Monday morning, while the outflow stood at 91,330 cusecs and the inflow at 70,954 cusecs, according to Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited. By noon, as the inflow was increased, the authorities increased the outflow to 1.20 lakh cusecs, which included canal and water supply.
Dr Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Mandya, has urged people living in low-lying areas near the Cauvery river banks to remain alert and said that they will be evacuated if necessary. The public and tourists have been warned against swimming in waterbodies and visiting bridges and waterbodies in the district.
Many of the temples, including the Srirangapatna, Ganjam, and Nimishamba temples, have been closed. Tourist places like Balamuri and Edamuri have also been closed.
Following incessant rainfall in the Cauvery river basin, by Monday, 1.20 lakh cuses of water had been released by Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam, resulting in a flood situation. The water had reached the brim of the 221-year-old iconic Wellesley Bridge. pic.twitter.com/u8I91ctHTi
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On Monday, the police barricaded the Wellesley Bridge. According to a local, the water level has reached the height of the base of the upper part of the bridge. One of the oldest road bridges built across the Cauvery, it connects Kirangur village and Srirangapatna town. Vehicle movement is usually allowed on the bridge despite its age, with renovation and strength checks undertaken periodically.
The bridge has been built using limestone, small stones, and burnt bricks. It is 20 ft wide, 22 ft high, and 500 m long. According to historians, the bridge was built during the rule of Dewan Poornaiah under Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar at a cost of Rs 5.5 lakh.
Also in the region, the Hemavathy dam was 98.30 per cent full, the Kabini dam 98.77 per cent, and the Harangi dam 92.31 per cent.
The situation in Belagavi district was also no different, as many bridges were submerged, cutting links to several villages. With an increase in the Krishna river outflow from Maharashtra, a few parts of Chikkodi taluk faced a flood-like situation.
Villagers from the Malaprabha basin in Gadag district were being shifted to safer places following the flood-like situation.
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