SALEM: Heavy rainfall across the catchment areas of Kerala and Karnataka led to a sharp rise in inflow into the Kabini reservoir near Mysuru, prompting authorities to increase discharge to Tamil Nadu to 25,000 cusecs by 10pm on Saturday.\Meanwhile, water resources department (WRD) officials in Tamil Nadu issued a flood alert for downstream areas of the Cauvery basin, on Sunday.The water level climbed to 2,281.43 feet against the full reservoir level of 2,284 feet in Kabini, with inflow measured at 19,037 cusecs.“Engineers in the counterpart steadily increased the outflow to protect the Kabini dam structure,” a WRD official told TOI, requesting anonymity.He added, the discharge began at 12,000 cusecs and was raised to 25,000 cusecs, causing flooding along the Kabini river.Officials advised communities along the Cauvery basin should remain alert as the floodwaters are expected to reach Hogenakkal, on the Tamil Nadu border, within the next 24 hours.Authorities urged the public to avoid crossing the river or engaging in activities such as bathing or washing near its banks until conditions stabilised.
