The onset of monsoon has not helped in filling up Krishnaraj Sagar (KRS) reservoir, where the water level has dipped to lowest in the last 10 years.
The inflow has not increased due to scanty rainfall in the catchment areas, especially Waynad in Kerala and Kodagu in Karnataka. The water level in the reservoir, on Wednesday, stood at 62.92 feet with an inflow of 277 cusec and outflow of 764 cusec.
During the corresponding period last year, the water level stood at 72.28 cusec. Except in 2003 (66.51 ft) and 2007 (68.90 ft), the water level had not descended below 70 feet in the past 10 years.
The reservoir has a storage of only 0.07 tmc ft which is adequate for supply of drinking water to Mysore, Bangalore and Mandya only for a week, said the officials of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama.
The farmers in the region are a worried lot as agriculture activities have come to a halt due to the water crisis and uneven distribution of rains across the district. The farmers, on an average, would begin planting of sugar cane saplings by June-end, and paddy by July third week.
But, the weak monsoon has left the farmers waiting for rains. Besides, seven taluks in the district are declared drought-hit and drinking water is being supplied through tankers to 38 villages.