Rapid depletion in storage levels, water management issues threaten Rabi crops in Srisailam command

Bountiful rainfall this year had initially promised to end the scarcity conditions of the last few years, but water management issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have come to the fore again

Hyderabad: Despite being one of the best years for the Krishna basin projects in terms of inflows, the rapid depletion of water levels in the Srisailam reservoir is raising concerns for Rabi crops in the command area.

Bountiful rainfall this year had initially promised to end the scarcity conditions of the last few years, but water management issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have come to the fore again.The gross inflow into the Srisailam project until December 15 was approximately 1590 TMCs.

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Much of this water flowed downstream, filling other projects and meeting the irrigation and drinking water needs of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. However, inflows into the river have drastically reduced from 5000 cusecs on December 12 to zero on December 29. There is little hope for further inflows this water year unless there are unseasonal heavy rains.

The current water level at the Srisailam reservoir stands at 862 feet, but it is expected to dip to the minimum drawdown level (MDDL) of 834 feet soon, if the scale of drawls continued to be the same.

Both states have been blaming each other for the rapid decline in water levels. Andhra Pradesh has been drawing heavily from the Pothireddypadu head regulator, diverting water beyond the Krishna basin to meet the needs of the Rayalaseema region.

During flood times, Andhra Pradesh took a big share of water and is now seeking exemption from any calculations, arguing that the water would have flowed into the sea if left unutilized. With the current outflow exceeding 6500 cusecs, there is not much water left for the Rabi crops in the Mahabubnagar district.

The operation of the Kalwakurthy lifts is only possible if the reservoir levels are maintained above the MDDL. Andhra Pradesh has accused Telangana of using Srisailam water for power generation, while the project remains under the operational control of Andhra Pradesh, giving it an advantage in terms of drawls.

The ongoing water management issues and the rapid depletion of water levels pose a serious threat to the Rabi crops in the Srisailam command area.