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Srisailam Reservoir Inflows Cross 2 Lakh Cusecs, Storage 100 TMC
Imagine a very big bathtub for a river, called the Srisailam reservoir.
Heavy rain in two Indian states made a lot of extra water flow into it.
So much water arrived that the reservoir passed an important number called 100 TMC, which is a way to measure enormous amounts of water.
The water level keeps rising and may fill the reservoir within a week.
When a reservoir is very full, some water is sent through machines that make electricity.
Officials are being careful, though, because they worry the rain could stop.
They fear using too much water to make electricity and then running short.
The officials say their first job is to make sure everyone has safe drinking water.
After that, they will share water with farmers for their crops.
Two nearby regional governments also disagree about how much water each one should take.
Inflows from the upstream Jurala project surged past 2 lakh cusecs (reported at 2.45 lakh and 2.08 lakh cusecs at 10 am on Tuesday) following heavy rain in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Water storage crossed the 100 TMC ft mark, though reports differ on the exact figure: 118.62 TMC ft versus 101.92 TMC ft, against a gross capacity of 215.807 TMC ft.
The water level reached 863.90 feet against a full reservoir level of 885 feet, with about 18.5 TMC ft of water being added daily.
Article reports conflict on power generation: one says generation began at the Left Bank Hydroelectric Power Station releasing 4,267 cusecs to Nagarjuna Sagar, while another says officials await a policy decision.
Andhra Pradesh alleged Telangana has drawn 1,600 cusecs daily since July 25 for Mahbubnagar district needs, while officials said drinking water security comes before irrigation releases.
- Who
- Reservoir officials, including superintendent engineer M. Venugopal Reddy, and the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- What
- Heavy inflows from the upstream Jurala project pushed Srisailam reservoir storage past the 100 TMC ft mark, prompting decisions on hydel power generation and water releases.
- Where
- Srisailam reservoir, involving the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; upstream releases originated from heavy rain in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
- When
- Reported on a Tuesday, when inflows stood at 2.08 lakh cusecs at 10 am; Telangana's disputed drawing is said to have run since July 25.
- Why
- Heavy rainfall in Karnataka and Maharashtra triggered large releases from the Jurala project, causing the surge in inflows to Srisailam.
Pro-Action View
Caution-First View
Hydel power generation
Pro-Action View
Generation should proceed using the heavy inflows; power generation has been carried out even when storage was around 50 TMC in the past.
Caution-First View
Officials should wait for clarity on sustained inflows; running both hydel projects at full capacity consumes about 6 TMC ft daily, and El Nino conditions make rainfall unreliable.
Inter-state water use
Pro-Action View
Andhra Pradesh says Telangana drawing 1,600 cusecs daily since July 25 is a matter of concern.
Caution-First View
Telangana has been utilizing the inflows from day one to meet irrigation and drinking water needs of Mahbubnagar district.
Release priority
Pro-Action View
Farmers are cheered by rising levels and expect irrigation releases for projects such as Handri Neeva, SRBC, Telugu Ganga, and Galeru-Nagari.
Caution-First View
Officials say drinking water security is the priority; irrigation releases will only follow later, depending on storage and rainfall conditions.
Key facts
- Reservoir
- Srisailam reservoir
- Full reservoir level (FRL)
- 885 feet
- Current water level
- 863.90 feet
- Gross storage capacity
- 215.807 TMC ft
- Current storage
- 118.62 TMC ft (one report); 101.92 TMC ft (another report)
- Reported inflow
- 2.45 lakh cusecs from Jurala project; 2.08 lakh cusecs at 10 am on Tuesday
- Daily water gain
- About 18.5 TMC ft
- Downstream releases
- 4,267 cusecs to Nagarjuna Sagar; 800 cusecs to Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme
Quotes
Official from Srisailam project
Srisailam reservoir superintendent
“Our priority is to ensure drinking water security first. After that, we will release water for irrigation.”
deccanchronicle.com
“They have been utilising water from day one of inflows, which is a matter of concern.”
deccanchronicle.com
Senior irrigation engineer
Engineer overseeing irrigation operations at Srisailam
“At the present inflow levels, nearly 18.5 tmc ft of water is being added daily.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Related news
Srisailam Reservoir Surges Toward Full Capacity Amid Heavy Inflows
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Power Generation Resumes at Srisailam as Inflows Stabilise
Nagarjuna Sagar Inflows Rise as Srisailam Releases Water
Srisailam Hydel Generation Review Weighs Drinking Water Priority
Srisailam Power Generation Drawal Raises Drinking Water Concerns
Collector Orders HNSS Water Measures for Madanapalle Drinking Needs
Srisailam Reservoir Storage Falls as Irrigation Concerns Grow
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