Kurnool: The water level in Srisailam reservoir was registering a steady increase on Sunday. It was currently receiving 1.10 lakh cusecs of water from upstream areas. This inflow led to inundation of the Sangameswaram temple in Nandyal.
Following this, the temple would remain closed for the next six months. As of now, the water level at Srisailam stood at 846.2 feet, with a storage capacity of 72tmc feet. The rise in water level has been due to continuous inflows from both the Jurala project on Krishna river and the Sunkesula project on the Tungabhadra.
Three days ago, the water-level recorded 33.57tmc. However, the inflows decreased to 1.55 lakh cusecs late on Saturday.
The farmers were happy over the inflow of water into the reservoir and possibilities of irrigation under various projects like Telugu Ganga, SRBC and KC canals. The district administration had asked them to shift to crops other than the regulars such as paddy and due to paucity of water in the reservoirs.
Mandals such as Kothapalle, Rudravaram, Nandikotkuru, Pamulapadu and Srisailam faced situations of deficit in rainfall. Mandals like Atmakur, Jupadu Bungalow, Sirivel, Allagadda and Chagalamarri also faced a rainfall deficit.
The district received rains of 225.4mm against the normal of 217.1mm during the southwest monsoon season.
Further, in the wake of the rising water levels, the Saivite Sangameswara Temple, was submerged in backwaters. As a precautionary measure, temple officials removed the pandals and restricted the movement of devotees two days ago to ensure their safety.
Priests performed sacred rituals, including Abhishekam, using the waters of seven rivers and offered them Mangala Harati to seek divine blessings on Saturday. The Vepadaru Sivalingam of the ancient temple passed into the divine embrace of River Krishna.
The temple will remain closed for the next 5-6 months until the water levels recede, repairs are done and normalcy is restored.
