Kabini Dam Flood Alert Renewed as Kerala Rains Swell River Inflow
Inflow into the Kabini dam in Mysuru district has surged once again following intense rainfall in its catchment areas in Kerala, prompting authorities to issue a fresh flood warning for communities living downstream along the Kapila river.
According to data from the dam authorities on Friday morning, the inflow stood at 11,217 cusecs, while the outflow was 7,000 cusecs. With the water level rising due to renewed spells of rain in Wayanad and nearby regions, the discharge was increased to between 10,000 and 15,000 cusecs, triggering the updated alert.
In an official note, the Executive Engineer of the Kabini Reservoir Division, H.D. Kote, stated that the outflow could rise further owing to safety considerations for the dam, given the substantial increase in inflow. The warning urged residents along the banks of the Kapila to move to safer locations, secure their belongings, and ensure the safety of livestock, as river levels are expected to climb.
Within Mysuru district, D.B. Kuppe in H.D. Kote taluk recorded the highest rainfall of 11.5 mm during the day.
Meanwhile, a fresh bout of rain in Kodagu district has raised the inflow into the Harangi dam near Kushalnagar. The inflow was 8,940 cusecs, while the outflow into the Cauvery river was 8,000 cusecs. The reservoir level stood at 2,858.14 feet on Friday, close to its maximum capacity of 2,859 feet.
After a temporary lull, rainfall activity in Kodagu has strengthened, with the district recording 24.36 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Friday. In comparison, the same period last year had seen only 1.46 mm. The heaviest rainfall was recorded at Sampaje with 72.50 mm, followed by Bhagamandala with 43.20 mm.
Earlier, as rainfall had reduced in Kodagu, the inflow into the Krishna Raja Sagara dam had dropped. On Friday, the inflow stood at 7,477 cusecs, with the reservoir level at 106.37 feet.
The Kabini dam, also known as the Kapila dam, is a key water storage structure on the Kabini river, a tributary of the Cauvery. It serves irrigation and drinking water needs for parts of Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts. During the monsoon season, the reservoir frequently receives heavy inflows from its catchment areas in the Western Ghats, including the Wayanad district of Kerala, making flood monitoring a critical task for disaster management authorities.
The dam's operation is guided by a detailed protocol that balances the need to maintain storage for agriculture with the safety of the structure. Whenever inflow exceeds outflow for a sustained period, the reservoir level rises, necessitating higher releases. This often leads to flood warnings downstream, as the river channel may not have the capacity to accommodate the increased flow.
Officials have emphasised the importance of preparedness in areas prone to sudden river-level rises. Local administration and disaster response teams have been placed on alert to assist residents if the situation worsens. Authorities have reiterated that people should not ignore the advisory and should cooperate with officials in evacuations if needed. The control room at the dam site is monitoring the situation round the clock.
