Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Srisailam Reservoir Storage Falls Below 100 TMC Amid Low Inflows
The Srisailam reservoir is holding less than 100 tmc ft of water.
Its water level fell during one day.
Very little water was flowing into the reservoir.
Much more water was being released downstream.
Officials said drinking water needs must come first.
They will decide about other uses after seeing how much more water arrives.
Farmers are worried because many fields could not be planted.
The reservoir also produced electricity through the Telangana powerhouse.
Srisailam reservoir storage fell to 99.3340 tmc ft on Monday evening.
The water level dropped from 858.70 feet to 858 feet in one day.
Inflow was 1,219 cusecs, while downstream releases totaled about 23,673 cusecs.
The reservoir is below its 215.807 tmc ft gross storage capacity and 885-foot full level.
Officials said drinking water is the priority as farmers face limited irrigation during the kharif season.
- Who
- Srisailam project officials, residents of the two Telugu states, and farmers are affected.
- What
- Water storage in the Srisailam reservoir fell below 100 tmc ft.
- When
- The storage was recorded at 6pm on Monday, after declining from Sunday.
- Where
- The Srisailam reservoir and its catchment in Kurnool.
- Why
- Low inflows and continuing downstream releases reduced storage, creating concerns about drinking water and irrigation.
Drinking Water Priority
Irrigation Needs
Use of remaining water
Drinking Water Priority
The project irrigation official said drinking water requirements are currently the priority, with other uses depending on future inflows.
Irrigation Needs
Farmers are concerned that inadequate water has already prevented cultivation across thousands of acres as the kharif season nears its end.
Assessment of future availability
Drinking Water Priority
Officials said water availability for purposes other than drinking will be assessed based on further inflows.
Irrigation Needs
Farmers face uncertainty because the reservoir has continued declining despite the season generally having stronger storage from August to December.
- Current storage
- 99.3340 tmc ft at 6pm Monday
- Previous storage
- 101.9210 tmc ft at 6pm Sunday
- Water-level change
- Down 0.70 feet, from 858.70 feet to 858 feet
- Full reservoir level
- 885 feet
- Gross storage capacity
- 215.807 tmc ft
- Inflow
- 1,219 cusecs
- Downstream release
- About 23,673 cusecs
- Catchment rainfall
- 27.40 mm