4 days ago
Samithi Warns Srisailam Depletion Could Hurt Rayalaseema Water Needs
A group in Rayalaseema is worried that too much water is leaving the Srisailam reservoir.
The water is being released when Telangana generates electricity.
The group says Rayalaseema needs the stored water for drinking and farming.
It says about 53 TMC may already have been released downstream.
The group had expected only about 25 TMC to be drawn by October.
The Water Resources Minister says the released water can reach Nagarjuna Sagar and be used by both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The group disagrees with this approach because it fears Srisailam could lose water needed later.
It wants officials to check the releases and protect essential water supplies.
The Rayalaseema Saguneeti Sadhana Samithi urged Andhra Pradesh to stop what it called rapid Srisailam reservoir depletion.
The organisation said power-generation releases by Telangana could threaten drinking water and irrigation in drought-prone Rayalaseema.
It cited reports that downstream releases had reached about 53 TMC, compared with an anticipated drawal of around 25 TMC up to October.
Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu reportedly said released water would reach Nagarjuna Sagar and could benefit both states.
The Samithi sought verification of the releases and called for conservation, legal safeguards and possible intervention by the Krishna River Management Board and Centre.
- Who
- The Rayalaseema Saguneeti Sadhana Samithi, its president Bojja Dasaratharami Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh government, Telangana and Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu.
- What
- The Samithi has called for intervention to prevent depletion of Srisailam reservoir through power-generation releases.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Srisailam reservoir, its Left Bank Power House and downstream Nagarjuna Sagar, affecting Rayalaseema.
- When
- The concern was raised recently, with the organisation referring to releases and anticipated drawals up to October.
- Why
- The Samithi says Srisailam storage is needed for Rayalaseema’s drinking water and irrigation, while the minister’s stated position is that downstream water can benefit both states.
Protect Srisailam Storage
Use Downstream Releases
Impact of power-generation releases
Protect Srisailam Storage
The Samithi says repeated releases through Telangana’s Srisailam Left Bank Power House could deplete storage and harm Rayalaseema’s immediate and future needs.
Use Downstream Releases
Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said water released through power generation would ultimately reach Nagarjuna Sagar and could be used by both states.
Reported volume of releases
Protect Srisailam Storage
The Samithi claims releases were already around 53 TMC, exceeding the roughly 25 TMC drawal it anticipated up to October, and wants the figures and authority verified.
Use Downstream Releases
The article does not provide a separate response disputing the Samithi’s reported figures.
Reservoir priorities
Protect Srisailam Storage
The Samithi wants drinking water and lifesaving irrigation prioritized, with an equitable and legally sustainable operating approach.
Use Downstream Releases
The minister’s reported position emphasizes downstream availability and potential shared use by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Key facts
- Organisation
- Rayalaseema Saguneeti Sadhana Samithi
- Reservoir
- Srisailam reservoir
- Reported downstream releases
- About 53 TMC
- Anticipated drawal up to October
- Around 25 TMC
- Andhra Pradesh indent cited
- About 14 TMC for Nagarjuna Sagar requirements
- Power-generation facility
- Srisailam Left Bank Power House
- Requested escalation
- Krishna River Management Board and the Centre, if necessary
Sources
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