Cauvery river basin in glory after monsoon showers
Overflowing waterfalls — rich and greenery in appearance — rivulets and streams are attracting a large number of tourists. The Cauvery river separates Tamil Nadu from Karnataka.
Neha Singh - Chennai - UPDATED: November 29, 2024, 05:54 PM - 2 min read
Tourists flock Gagnachukki & Baharachukki falls as it overflow after heavy rainfall. (File picture via X).
Cauvery River basin seems to have been alive because of the copious rains it has achieved this Monsoon.
Overflowing waterfalls — rich and greenery in appearance — rivulets and streams are attracting a large number of tourists.
Before monsoons, home to Talakaveri, the origin of the iconic Cauvery river, faced a grim reality as the river dwindled to a trickle, leaving behind parched landscapes, human settlements, coffee crops as well as wildlife in dire consequences.
Malnad region, including Sakleshpur taluk in Hassan district, has received a good spell of rain this year reviving waterfalls and streams which had dried up owing to deficit rain last year.
Tourists throng the Gaganachukki in Mandya district. (Image via X).
Although the scenic beauty of Cauvery basin is attracting tourists, homestays and resorts, which generally attract a large number of people, have been affected because of land being slippery on the Shiradi Ghat stretch.
Besides, power outages can also affect the tourist inflow.
Gagnachukki and Bharachukki Falls, which are located on the border of Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts, are in full splendour. Its grandeur is attracting a large number of people not from Bengaluru and the neighbouring Tamil Nadu as well.
Besides, Chunchanakatte waterfalls in Saligrama taluk, KR Nagar taluk, Mysuru district, is also around 50 km from Mysuru. It is also attacting tourists in large numbers.
The beauty has been such that one can easily spend a few hours during weekends. Sound of swirling waters and getting drenched in its glory ought to be mesmerising.
Bhavani Amman Temple in Kundah Taluk of Nilgiris, is the source of Bhavani River. It is the highest gradient basin point (Doddabetta) in Cauvery Basin, which generates 45 per cent of TN Hydro power. (Image via X).
Nature lovers are getting drawn to Lakshman Theertha River in Hunsur.
Those crossing the new bridge are stopping their vehicles to get a glimpse of the water flowing with full force, in Srirangapatna taluk.
Additionally, for picnic spots, Balamuri Falls and Yedamuri are the best destinations.
However, the authorities have taken substantial measures to stop any mishap and have cautioned the people not to go near the water, at all places.
Rain & Tamil Nadu & K’taka sharing water from River Cauvery
A confrontation that was brewing between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over sharing of water from River Cauvery seem to have been averted by rain gods.
Heavy rains in the river’s catchment areas in Karnataka has led to a sudden jump in water storage at the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur in Tamil Nadu.
A representative image of how Cauvery river separates Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. (Image via X).
Water levels in Tamil Nadu's Mettur reservoir have risen significantly, increasing from 17.830 tmcft on 18 July to 49.121 tmcft by 24 July. The reservoir, built during British rule, saw water levels rise from 47.780 feet to 86.850 feet, with a full capacity of 120 feet.
The increase follows heavy rainfall in Karnataka's Kodagu and catchment areas. Despite Tamil Nadu’s earlier criticism of Karnataka for not releasing water as per the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee’s orders, inflows from reservoirs like Kabini and Krishnarajasagar boosted supplies to 31 tmcft at Biligundlu.
Gates of Mettur Dam.
The Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu remains unresolved despite a Supreme Court ruling. From 2018 to 2022, heavy rains ensured a steady water supply to Tamil Nadu’s Mettur dam, easing tensions. However, the conflict resurfaced in 2023 and returned to court.
Recently, the water level at the Mettur dam crossed 90 feet, raising hopes among farmers in the Cauvery delta. Farmers have awaited water for weeks to cultivate kuruvai, a short-term crop, as the reservoir's sluices, typically opened in June, remained closed due to insufficient water.
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