Hyderabad – The state of Telangana is showing promising signs of recovery from the initial setbacks caused by rain-related disruptions that had cast a shadow over the Kharif crop prospects. The farming community, which had been anxiously awaiting the monsoon’s arrival after a tardy start in June, can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
A significant number of Godavari basin projects are now brimming with water, raising hope for parts of the Krishna basin projects as well. The Sriram Sagar Project Stage II, which is well-equipped to support major areas in Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Khammam districts, can now cater to part of the Nagarjuna Sagar project ayacut. Previously, these regions relied on the Nagarjuna Sagar Left canal for irrigation.
The Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP) has been receiving inflows at an impressive rate, averaging around 1.75 lakh cusecs. This inflow is expected to continue for at least a week, aiming to raise the project’s gross capacity level to an impressive 90 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet).
To meet the drinking water needs of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the State has initiated water drawal from the Nagarjuna Sagar project, releasing about 625 cusecs from the reservoir. Additionally, the Irrigation department plans to allocate 1.5 TMC to the Palair balancing reservoir and other projects en route. The State has also submitted a water indent to the Krishna River Management Board, requesting approximately 10 TMC of water.
Originally, the government intended to prioritize the Mission Bhagiratha project until the end of September. The Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has granted approval for the withdrawal of up to 8.5 TMC from July to September.
Despite the current availability of only 12.73 TMC in the Nagarjuna Sagar project, Andhra Pradesh has also been granted permission to draw 5 TMC from the reservoir. It is essential to note that the project’s live storage capacity stands at a mere 144 TMC, significantly lower than the gross storage capacity of 312 TMC.
While the Srisailam project within the basin has not received significant inflows, there is newfound hope for farmers under the Krishna basin projects, as the Jurala project began receiving inflows of approximately 25,000 cusecs.
In the event of further delays in receiving inflows into the Krishna basin project, irrigation authorities remain confident in their ability to support a portion of the 6.3 lakh acres ayacut of the Nagarjuna Sagar project left canal in Telangana, utilizing the resources of the Sriram Sagar Project Stage II.
The SRSP Stage II aims to provide water to over 4.40 lakh acres in Warangal, Khammam, and Nalgonda districts. Within just one week, the Sriram Sagar Project has witnessed an impressive addition of nearly 35 TMC to its live storage capacity.
With the current developments instilling hope in the agricultural sector, farmers and authorities alike are keeping a close eye on the water resources and weather conditions. As the state continues its path to recovery, the focus remains on optimizing water management and ensuring the successful cultivation of crops to bolster the rural economy.
