ANANTAPUR: Srisailam dam authorities closed the crest gates and stopped release of water into the river following poor inflows from upstream parts on Monday. However, about 62000 cusecs of water are being released for power generation and irrigation sources through left and right branch canals.
Irrigation minister Ambati Rambabu had formally lifted three radial crest gates two days ago. Later only one gate was opened till Monday morning.
Presently, Srisailam dam is maintained with 196.51 TMC ft storage capacity and 881.56 ft as against its gross capacity of 215.81 TMC ft.
Inflows were 68,328 cusecs as the upstream Almatti was confined to only 6000 cusecs of outflows and the downstream Narayanpur dam gets a similar quantity of inflows. However, Narayanpur dam authorities stopped discharging of water towards Srisailam. Jurala reservoir continued without flows of 25,081 cusecs towards Srisailam.
Meanwhile, the Krishna water reached Jeedipalli reservoir in Beluguppa mandal in Anantapur district due to constant outflows from Srisailam foreshore towards Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi irrigation and drinking water project through lift systems.
Lack of proper maintenance of the TB high-level main canal resulted in wastage of water at several points in Bommanahal, Uddehal and Kanekal. TB dam was releasing 1,000 cusecs to HLMC for Andhra Pradesh.
Sources said that at least 70 big holes were noticed at the main canal from the state borders in Anantapur district. There were no timely repairs.
Even as the TB Board asked AP irrigation authorities to draw more water, the capacity of HLMC was unable to draw more and fill the dependent reservoirs.
