Telangana Reviews Irrigation | Hyderabad, August 5: Rising inflows into major reservoirs have revived hopes among farmers across Telangana, prompting the Irrigation Department to assess the availability of water for the ongoing Kharif season and the upcoming Rabi crop.
The State Level Integrated Water Planning and Management Committee will meet on Wednesday to review reservoir storage, inflows, drinking water requirements and irrigation prospects before taking a final decision on water releases.
The meeting will be chaired by the Engineer in Chief of the Irrigation Department. Chief Engineers of all major irrigation projects will participate. Officials will review the current storage position, expected inflows and rainfall forecasts before deciding irrigation allocations.
Telangana Irrigation | Committee to Review Reservoir Storage and Irrigation Prospects
The review comes as heavy inflows continue into the state’s major reservoirs. Srisailam is receiving nearly 2 lakh cusecs of floodwater, while inflows into the Sriramsagar Project (SRSP) have also increased significantly.
These two reservoirs support a major portion of Telangana’s ayacut. Once Srisailam reaches sufficient storage and releases begin towards Nagarjuna Sagar, irrigation prospects will improve for the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal, the Mahatma Gandhi Lift Irrigation Project (MRRP) and the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme.
Officials estimate that if SRSP receives another 40 TMC of water, they can provide limited irrigation for the Kharif ayacut. Otherwise, authorities may reserve the available water for drinking purposes and supply a limited quantity during the early Rabi season.
The committee will also consider the possible impact of El Nino, which has created uncertainty over future rainfall. Therefore, officials are likely to give top priority to drinking water requirements before approving irrigation releases.
Last year, Telangana supplied 381.5 TMC of water to irrigate 39.93 lakh acres, including 24.74 lakh acres of paddy and 15.19 lakh acres under other wet crops. Good rainfall and reservoirs filling twice during the season ensured smooth water supply.
This year, however, the situation remains uncertain. The government initially planned irrigation for 19 lakh acres of paddy and 15 lakh acres of other crops, requiring nearly 320 TMC of water. Although the Agriculture and Irrigation Departments advised farmers to cultivate alternative crops, officials say most farmers have once again preferred paddy using borewells and open wells.
Heavy Flood Flows Continue Across Krishna Basin
Continuous rainfall in the upper Krishna basin has sharply increased inflows into Srisailam. By 6 pm on Tuesday, the reservoir was receiving nearly 2 lakh cusecs, with inflows expected to rise further on Wednesday.
Almatti released 1.50 lakh cusecs, while Narayanpur discharged 1.48 lakh cusecs. Including Bhima river flows, Jurala received 2.41 lakh cusecs and released 2.53 lakh cusecs downstream. Water is also being supplied through the Nettempadu, Bhima, Koilsagar, and Jurala Right and Left Canal systems.
Meanwhile, Tungabhadra reservoir is receiving 82,000 cusecs and currently holds 55 TMC, requiring another 50 TMC to reach full capacity.
Officials estimate that Srisailam’s storage will reach 107 TMC by Wednesday evening. The reservoir still requires another 108 TMC to attain Full Reservoir Level (FRL).
Nagarjuna Sagar requires another 170 TMC to fill completely. Irrigation officials believe that once storage crosses 250 TMC, authorities can comfortably supply drinking water to Hyderabad and release irrigation water to the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal, MRRP and Kalwakurthy projects. However, this will be possible only if the present flood inflows continue for at least another 10 days.
Telangana Irrigation | SRSP, Nizamsagar and Godavari Projects Receive Fresh Inflows
The Sriramsagar Project is receiving around 22,000 cusecs. Although inflows briefly touched 28,000 cusecs during the afternoon, they reduced by evening. The reservoir currently stores 35 TMC and needs another 45 TMC to fill completely.
After excluding dead storage, nearly 20 TMC remains available, which is sufficient to meet drinking water requirements. Since reservoirs in Maharashtra have already filled, officials expect additional inflows in the coming days.
Nizamsagar currently holds 10 TMC while receiving 7,000 cusecs, improving the prospects of supplying irrigation water to its ayacut.
Kadem and Yellampalli reservoirs have already reached full storage. Although inflows into Yellampalli have reduced to 5,000 cusecs, officials continue lifting 12,000 cusecs to Mid Manair.
Mid Manair currently stores 16 TMC and is receiving 18,645 cusecs from local rainfall and upstream releases. It requires another 10 TMC to fill completely.
Upper Manair is receiving 5,666 cusecs, while Annam Barrage is recording an inflow of 10,000 cusecs due to floodwaters in the Manair River. Flood levels in the Pranahita River have declined, but Medigadda Barrage continues to receive 1.74 lakh cusecs.
Officials are expected to take a final decision on irrigation releases after reviewing reservoir conditions, projected inflows, rainfall forecasts and the priority of drinking water needs during Wednesday’s meeting.
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