As much as 48,000 cusecs of water was released from all the 33 crest gates of Tungabhadra reservoir on Sunday. The dam had water up to 1631.29 feet against the maximum of 1,633 feet.
For the past one week, the dam authorities were releasing water from 20 crest gates. However, the outflow was increased following the increase in the inflow. On Sunday, the reservoir recorded an inflow of 52,083 cusecs.
The water level in River Tungabhadra has gone up following the discharge from the dam. Hampi ruins such as Purandara Mantapa, bathing ghat etc are submerged.
A large number of people are visiting the dam to witness the spectacle. Sunday being holiday, there was a huge rush at the reservoir. The National Highway 50 opposite the dam witnessed heavy traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, inflow into River Krishna in Chikkodi of Belagavi district has come down as rains have receded in Konkan and southwest Maharashtra region. The inflow into Krishna and its tributaries stood at 1.73 lakh cusecs against the 1.79 lakh cusecs early last week.
However, Chikkodi Assistant Commissioner Geeta Koulagi said that, River Krishna and its tributaries were still in spate as Hipparagi barrage was receiving around 2.05 lakh cusecs and the same amount of water was being released from Almatti dam.
All the six low-lying bridges built across the Krishna and its tributaries continued to remain under the water in Chikkodi taluk, compelling people to use alternative and circuitous routes.
Moderate rains lashed various parts of Shivamogga district on Sunday.
Hosanagara, Thirthahalli, Bhadravathi, Shivamogga and Sagara received moderate rains intermittently throughout the day. Most parts of the district witnessed cloudy weather.