From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 14: With Hemavathy reservoir, one of the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, reaching its full capacity by mid-July perhaps for the first time in recent history, the crest gates were opened on Saturday.

The Hemavathy reservoir’s water level reached the maximum level due to heavy rains in the catchment area.

The crest gates of the Hemavathy reservoir were opened around 12 noon on Saturday July 14.

The other three reservoirs in the Cauvery basin – Kabini, Harangi and the biggest Krishnarajasagar (KRS) – are also nearing their full levels.

Never in the history of the reservoir, has the water level reached the maximum point prompting to open the gates as early as this year.

In 2013, the reservoir was full on July 26. This year, for the first time, the day has come 10 days early. In the last 40 years, the water level had reached FRL (full reservation level) 30 times.

The last time water level reached FRL was in August 2014.

PWD minister H D Revanna, MLA H K Kumaraswamy and officers of Hemavathi Dam Circle and district administration were present.