Archive · 6 Aug 2026
BJP Leader Seeks Krishna Water Release to Somasila Reservoir
A river called the Krishna flows through India, and many cities depend on its water.
In 1983, leaders from three Indian states met with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
They agreed to send 15 tmc ft of Krishna water to Chennai for drinking.
That is like promising a thirsty city a fair share of the river.
Recently, heavy rain filled the Srisailam reservoir with lots of water.
A leader named Midathala Ramesh says it is time to share that water.
He asked the government to release the water right away.
The water would travel through a special regulator to the Somasila reservoir.
This would give Chennai more drinking water and also fill up Somasila.
That way, everyone gets a fair share of the river water.
BJP leader Midathala Ramesh urged the Andhra Pradesh government to immediately release Krishna water to the Somasila reservoir under the inter-state water-sharing agreement.
Srisailam reservoir is holding more than 100 tmc ft of water; reports put its level at over 860 ft, while one report says it crossed the 854-ft mark, after heavy inflows in the Krishna basin.
A 1983 agreement by the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, in the presence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, provides for supplying 15 tmc ft of Krishna water to Chennai for drinking.
Ramesh asked the government to release 15 tmc ft through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator and route it to the Somasila reservoir to meet Chennai's drinking water obligations.
The release would also improve water availability at Somasila; BJP leaders including Kandikatla Rajeswari attended the meeting at Moolapeta (Mulapeta).
- Who
- BJP leader and Namami Gange State Convener Midathala Ramesh, who made the demand at a party meeting; BJP leaders Kandikatla Rajeswari, V. Chittibabu, A.V. Subbaiah and Nagendra Singh were present (attendees varied by report).
- What
- A demand that the Andhra Pradesh government immediately release 15 tmc ft of Krishna water through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator to the Somasila reservoir, as part of the 1983 inter-state agreement supplying drinking water to Chennai.
- When
- A BJP meeting on a Wednesday (exact date not stated); the underlying water-sharing agreement was reached in 1983.
- Where
- The meeting was held at Moolapeta (also written Mulapeta), reported from Nellore; the reservoirs involved are Srisailam and Somasila in the Krishna basin.
- Why
- Heavy inflows raised Srisailam's storage past 100 tmc ft and its level beyond the stipulated 854-ft mark, triggering the agreed release to Chennai and improving water availability at Somasila.
- Demanded release
- 15 tmc ft of Krishna water
- Srisailam storage
- More than 100 tmc ft
- Srisailam level
- Reports differ: over 860 ft or past 854 ft
- Stipulated release mark
- 854 ft
- Route
- Pothireddypadu Head Regulator to Somasila reservoir
- Agreement
- 1983 pact by AP, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka chief ministers; PM Indira Gandhi present
- Purpose
- Chennai drinking water supply
- Meeting venue
- Moolapeta (Mulapeta), reported from Nellore
