Hyderabad: For the first time, both Telangana and AP governments are successfully managing the area irrigated by various projects though the Srisailam dam is just half full and water at the Nagarjuna sagar is hovering at dead storage level.
Srisailam dam has so far got 214 tmc ft of water of which about 75 tmc ft has been used. It is able to supply water to Srisailam right main canal, Telugu Ganga and Handri Neva projects to irrigate three lakh acres besides supplementing the area under KC canal, normally fed by the Tungabhadra.
The Krishna River Management Board, at its last meeting, directed authorities to release water from Srisailam to Nagarjunasagar till the water level reaches 834 ft and store the remaining as drinking water for both Telangana and AP. The authorities, however, did not comply since the recent rains helped the standing crops.
The Telangana government did not seek releases through the power house as there was no demand for electricity. This helped Srisailam dam authorities to keep storage beyond the 854 ft level ensuring supply to Rayalaseema.
The Telangana government diverted Krishna waters from Jurala foreshore to some new lift irrigation projects and allowed farmers to raise irrigated dry crops with an assurance that water would be provided. This apart, water is being provided from the Jurala project to raise paddy in about two lakh acres.
The Nagarjunasagar dam, lifeline for both Telangana and AP, has water at 510 ft against the full level of 590 ft. Authorities tried to maintain water at the 513 ft level for the last few weeks. The dam has so far received about 60 tmc ft water from Srisailam. That was distributed between the two states for Krishna Pushkaralu and for drinking water needs. Good rain helped farmers raise crops while using water from the dam for seed beds.
The Telangana government has decided to supply water for crop wetting for 3 lakh acres in Zone-1 (Nalgonda district up to Palair reservoir in Khammam). No decision has been taken for 8 lakh acres covering Zones 2 and 3 where farmers have raised crops using rainwater.
The demand to release water is expected later. “We hope we can manage as we still have our quota in Srisailam but not for the entire area,” Sunil, chief engineer, Nagarjuna sagar Dam, told DC.
