Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Srisailam Reservoir Surges Toward Full Capacity Amid Heavy Inflows
Heavy rain far away is filling up a very big lake called the Srisailam reservoir.
The rainwater flows down the Krishna river into the lake, and other dams upstream are letting more water out, which makes the lake rise even faster.
Right now, the lake holds about 149 TMC of water, but it can hold about 216 TMC; TMC is a way to measure very large amounts of water.
Officials think the lake could be completely full within a week or ten days if the rain keeps coming.
Some of the water is being let out to help farmers water their crops.
The lake can also make electricity when water rushes through its power plants.
One news report says the power plant on the left side is already making electricity, 3.435 million units in a single day.
But another report says power generation has not started yet because everyone is waiting for government permission.
The people in charge are watching the water level very carefully.
Heavy flood inflows from the upper Krishna basin, boosted by releases from the Almatti, Narayanpur and Jurala reservoirs, have sharply raised the Srisailam reservoir's water level.
One report puts Thursday evening storage at 149.0620 tmc ft against a full capacity of 215.8070 tmc ft, while other reports cite 138.273 tmc ft against a gross capacity of 215 tmc ft.
Two reports say the Left Bank Underground Hydel Power Station generated 3.435 million units of electricity in the last 24 hours, while another says generation has not yet commenced and awaits state government approval.
Officials expect the reservoir to reach full capacity within a week, or within the next 10 days, if heavy inflows continue.
Water is being released downstream for irrigation, including about 4,000 cusecs through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator and 350 cusecs to the Handri Neeva project.
- Who
- Irrigation authorities and the Telangana government managing the Srisailam reservoir and its hydel power stations.
- What
- The Srisailam reservoir's storage is surging toward full capacity amid heavy flood inflows, with downstream releases for irrigation and conflicting reports on whether hydel power generation has begun.
- When
- Reported this week; as of Thursday evening the reservoir held 149.0620 tmc ft.
- Where
- Srisailam reservoir on the Krishna river, fed by inflows from the Almatti, Narayanpur and Jurala reservoirs in the upper basin; reporting also filed from Kurnool.
- Why
- Heavy monsoon inflows from the upper Krishna basin, increased by releases from upstream reservoirs, have rapidly raised storage and improved water availability for irrigation, drinking water and hydel power generation.
- Current storage (Thursday evening)
- 149.0620 TMC (one report); 138.273 TMC per other reports
- Full reservoir capacity
- 215.8070 TMC (other reports cite 215 TMC gross)
- Water level vs Full Reservoir Level
- 869.20 feet present level; FRL 885 feet
- Inflows
- 2,16,764 cusecs on Thursday evening; 2,20,948 cusecs from the Jurala project per other reports
- Downstream outflow
- 7,493 cusecs (per reports citing Jurala inflow)
- Irrigation releases
- About 4,000 cusecs via Pothireddypadu Head Regulator; 350 cusecs to the Handri Neeva project
- Projected time to full capacity
- Within a week (two reports) or within 10 days (one report), if inflows continue
- Hydel power generation
- Two reports: 3.435 million units in 24 hours at Left Bank station; one report: not yet commenced, awaiting government approval
