Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Krishna Water Set to Reach Erstwhile Chittoor After September 10
The government is moving Krishna River water to the erstwhile Chittoor district.
This is happening because weak rains have caused tanks, ponds and some borewells to dry up.
Water began moving through the Handri-Neeva project from the Srisailam area.
It reached Jeedipalli Reservoir on August 11 and is heading toward Cherlopalli Reservoir.
Officials expect to send it to the region after September 10.
The water will travel through two branch canals.
It will mainly help provide drinking water and refill storage tanks.
The government also plans to use some Handri-Neeva water for industrial needs.
This is expected to be the ninth time Krishna water has reached the district through the project.
The Andhra Pradesh government is transferring Krishna water early through the Handri-Neeva project amid drought and water stress in Rayalaseema.
Water reached Jeedipalli Reservoir on August 11 and is moving through the main canal toward Cherlopalli Reservoir.
Officials expect water to reach the erstwhile Chittoor district after September 10, subject to Cherlopalli Reservoir reaching about 1 to 1.2 TMC.
The Punganur and Kuppam branch canals will supply Thamballapalle, Madanapalle, Punganur, Palamaner and Kuppam.
Officials plan to replenish summer storage tanks and around 50 tanks, while prioritising drinking water and industrial needs over irrigation in 2026-27.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government and Handri-Neeva officials are arranging the transfer for residents and industries in the served areas.
- What
- Krishna water is being transferred through the Handri-Neeva project for drinking water, industrial requirements and selected storage tanks.
- When
- Water reached Jeedipalli Reservoir on August 11 and is expected to reach the erstwhile Chittoor district after September 10.
- Where
- Water is being pumped from Malyala near the Srisailam project through Jeedipalli and Cherlopalli reservoirs to the Punganur and Kuppam branch canals.
- Why
- Weak rainfall and El Nino-related drought conditions have caused water stress, including drying tanks, ponds and agricultural borewells.
- Expected regional release
- After September 10, subject to sufficient storage at Cherlopalli Reservoir.
- Water source
- Malyala, an upstream area of the Srisailam project.
- Cherlopalli capacity
- 1.618 TMC.
- Current Cherlopalli storage
- About 0.500 TMC.
- Release requirement
- Officials cited a target of about 1 to 1.2 TMC before releasing water to the branch canal.
- Planned beneficiaries
- Thamballapalle, Madanapalle, Punganur, Palamaner and Kuppam.
- Planned storage replenishment
- Chippili, Guttakindapalle and Punganur summer storage tanks, three additional summer storage tanks and around 50 tanks along the branch canals.
- Transfer volume
- About 3,000 cusecs is being lifted from the Srisailam side; around 500 cusecs reaches Cherlopalli, according to an official.
