Water in major reservoirs across Telangana dips to alarming levels

Despite substantial inflows into the reservoirs this year, poor planning has led to dwindling storage levels

Hyderabad: The scorching heat of summer is taking its toll on major irrigation projects in both the Krishna and Godavari basins. The reservoir levels are dipping alarmingly.

The Nagarjuna Sagar project, the waters of which are shared by both the Telugu States, is increasingly under pressure. It is nearing its minimum drawdown level. While current levels are slightly better compared to last year, the situation remains worrisome. If the water levels dip by another foot, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board may have to depend on emergency pumping.

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Despite substantial inflows into the reservoirs this year, poor planning has led to dwindling storage levels. Nagarjuna Sagar project had a cumulative inflow of 1,246 TMC this year, but it is currently holding only 141 TMC, showing a marginal improvement compared to last year’s 133 TMC. Prioritising drinking water requirements during the summer, authorities have stopped releases to Nagarjuna Sagar canals. Water releases for the second crop began in December. With Rabi crops due for their harvest, releases were stopped on Thursday evening.

A total of 180 TMC of water was supplied from the NSP right canal catering to the needs of AP exclusively and 144 TMC through the left canal that serves Telangana and partly Andhra Pradesh this year. Releases to support drinking water from Nagarjuna Sagar to Hyderabad continued at 2,441 cusecs, with the reservoir level touching a precarious 515.30 feet.

Some 13,000 cusecs of water is being released daily from Nagarjuna Sagar to meet the overall needs of both the states. The reservoir’s drawdown level being 510 feet, the project is likely to cease supporting the supplies very soon. Emergency measures for pumping water for Hyderabad are likely to be initiated soon. The Srisailam reservoir received a cumulative inflow of 1,605 TMC this year. But the project is holding only 39 TMC of it today, showing a marginal improvement from last year’s 34 TMC at this time.

Godavari basin projects face storage shortfall

Adding to its scarcity conditions, major irrigation projects in the Godavari basin are also facing a big drop in the present storage levels compared to their gross capacities. The situation is raising concern among farmers and officials. According to the latest data from the Irrigation Department, key reservoirs like Sriram Sagar, Sripada Yellampally, and Lower Manair are operating well below their potential. It is reflecting the impact of the suspension of all operations from the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

The Sriram Sagar Project, with a gross capacity of 90.31 TMC, currently holds approximately 30 TMC, a mere 33% of its potential. Sripada Yellampally, designed for 20.18 TMC, is at 8 TMC, around 40% capacity. Lower Manair, with a 24 TMC capacity, languishes at 6 TMC, or 25%. These figures starkly contrast last year’s levels, which were improved by heavy rains this year.