Hyderabad: The Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) on Thursday ordered release of 11 tmc ft of water available at Srisailam dam to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states in the ratio of 6.5 tmc ft and 4.5 tmc ft respectively.
The three-member committee of the Board met and reviewed the water availability as well as the water requirements of the two states for drinking, including due consideration for Hyderabad city, and decided to allot the water available at Srisailam.
However, the Board cautioned both the states that the water so divided does not provide for any use below the threshold levels and that the balance needs till the onset of monsoon has to be accounted for and has to be adjusted within the available water.
The Board directed that For immediate requirement of AP the 4.5 tmc ft from Srisailam will be released to the Nagarjunasagar right main canal. The entire water release process will be completed in seven days so that the conveyance losses will be as less as possible.
TS can draw its water share as per its requirements from Srisailam dam and it will have the right to use the same as per its drinking water requirements.
The Board considered the available gross storage in Srisailam (As on March, 16, 2016 it was 35.63 tmc ft at the present 812.30 ft level and Nagarjunasagar it was 128.97 tmc ft at 508.40 ft level). It was decided that Nagarjunasagar will not be operated below 510 ft and Srisailam not be operated below 790 ft.
However, it was requested by both the states that under the prevailing conditions of scarcity, it may be necessary to draw water below the threshold level at Srisailam in the future.
