Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Srisailam Inflows Fall Sharply as Irrigation Releases Tighten
The Srisailam reservoir received much less water on Sunday than it did on Saturday.
Its inflow dropped from 45,192 cusecs to 24,079 cusecs.
All of Sunday’s measured inflow came from the Jurala project.
The reservoir was 876 feet full, below its full level of 885 feet.
It held 168.267 TMC of water out of a possible 215.807 TMC.
Officials said they were releasing water only for drinking because there was not enough certainty for irrigation supplies.
Electricity was still being produced at the Left Power House.
Farmers in parts of Rayalaseema were worried because later rains had not arrived after they planted cotton.
Officials are watching the reservoir because the rest of the monsoon will affect future water availability.
Srisailam’s inflow fell from 45,192 cusecs on Saturday to 24,079 cusecs by Sunday evening.
The Sunday inflow came entirely from the Jurala project, with no significant flow from Sunkesula, Handri or the local catchment.
The reservoir stood at 876 feet with 168.267 TMC stored, compared with its 885-foot full level and 215.807-TMC capacity.
Officials said water was being released only for drinking needs because conditions were unsuitable for irrigation releases.
Power generation continued at the Left Power House, while the Right Power House and pump mode used no water.
- Who
- Srisailam reservoir officials, irrigation authorities and farmers in parts of Rayalaseema.
- What
- Inflow into the reservoir dropped sharply, while officials limited releases to drinking-water needs and continued some power generation.
- When
- By 6 p.m. Sunday, following reported conditions on Saturday.
- Where
- The Srisailam reservoir in Kurnool, with inflow primarily from the Jurala project.
- Why
- Inflows were fluctuating because of rainfall in upper catchment areas and hydel power generation at Jurala, creating uncertainty over irrigation supplies.
Officials’ water-management position
Farmers’ concerns
Irrigation releases
Officials’ water-management position
Irrigation officials said uncertain inflows made conditions unsuitable for releasing water for irrigation and that water was being released only for drinking needs.
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers dependent on irrigation, particularly in Rayalaseema, faced concern over crop losses because subsequent rains did not arrive after cotton was planted.
Water availability
Officials’ water-management position
Officials were monitoring inflows and levels because the remaining monsoon period would be crucial for determining future water availability.
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers in Pattikonda, Adoni and Tuggali were already reporting losses after light rainfall was followed by a lack of further rain.
- Sunday inflow
- 24,079 cusecs at 6 p.m.
- Saturday inflow
- 45,192 cusecs from the Jurala project
- Sunday water level
- 876 feet; the full reservoir level is 885 feet
- Stored water
- 168.267 TMC out of a gross capacity of 215.807 TMC
- Irrigation releases
- Officials said releases were limited to drinking-water needs because conditions were unsuitable for irrigation
- Power generation
- The Left Power House used 7,063 cusecs; the Right Power House and pump mode used no water
- Spillway discharge
- No water was being released through the spillway
