Mandya: Many parts of Karnataka have been receiving heavy rains. Downpour in and around Mandya, and strong currents in river Cauvery, have filed the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam to the brim. Today, KRS  recorded the water level of 124.80 that is fullest to its capacity. 

Following this, prohibitory orders (section 144) has been in issued in areas within a 20 km radius of the KRS dam. Authorities have banned mining in this region till September 4. 

The official circular

The circular in this regard was issued by Pandavpur taluk tahsildar A Pramod L Patil.

A ban on mining has also been imposed at Chinakuruli, Honaganahalli, Doddaboganahalli, Molesandra, Alpalli and Chandre regions.

Residents had complained to the tahsildar about noise in the regions surrounding the dam. The authorities found out that the noise was the result of mining activities in the area. Considering the situation, the tahsildar has banned mining till September 4.

But residents claim that this is just an eyewash as mining will begin again soon. They have said that mining can pose danger to the KRS dam.

Srirangapatna mining death

In June, people had filed series of complaints against the ill-effects of mining after a person died during mining operations. This had led to the Srirangapatna tahsildar banning mining in 12 villages in and around the region.

Accordingly, mining and transportation of stones was banned at Jakkanahalli, Channannakere, Kalenahalli, Gananguru, Siddapura, Madangadore, Hangarahalli, Gowdahalli, Kodishettypura, Neelanakoppalu, TM Hosuru, Srirampura and surrounding areas. But sadly, the ban was effective only from June 22 to July 6.

Danger to KRS dam 

Geologists had specified that mining around the KRS Dam would affect the dam's safety. Despite geologists and environmentalists repeatedly stating that mining in these regions is dangerous, it is banned only temporarily.