Kurnool: Srisailam dam overflows

Kurnool: The safety of the Srisailam dam has come under lens once again as the reservoir water overflowed from above the spillway. The engineering staff failed to assess the quantum of inflows and opened only six gates to a height of 23 feet. But the rise in inflows led to an overflow, calling for stricter scrutiny of the dam’s safety.

The present full reservoir level stood at 884.90 feet, against the total height of 885 feet. Sinivasula Reddy, project senior engineer, Sriailam dam, said that the overflow of water was due to a wave effect and the structure as well as stored water was now totally stabilised.

The total inflow of water stood at 3,25,000 cusecs while the outflow was 4,24,000 cusecs, the engineer said. The engineering staff was under a dilemma about the water level of reservoir at which the crest gates should be opened up. Efficient utilisation of flood water is a basic guidepost, as entire needs of Rayalaseema were to be met from the backwaters of Srisailam reservoir through the Pothireddypadu head regulator, the Malyala-Handri Niva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS), the Muchumarri-KC canal and the Mahatma Gandhi Kalwakurthy lift.

“Farmers Associations and politicians have been demanding not to lift the gates of Srisail-am until water reaches the 884 feet level. Therefore, we are holding water till it reaches maximum height,” said superintending enginner Srinivasula Reddy.

He tried to assure, saying there was no problem to the dam structure if water spilled over from above the spillway as the water was up till the brim level, and waves form tides to flow over the dam. It has been controlled and inflows are gradually reducing, he said. He said if there were no fresh floods, dam gates would be closed by tonight.