With Kaleshwaram down, dip in water levels in major projects hints tough summer for Telangana

HYDERABAD: Water levels in almost all major conventional projects in the State have come down when compared to the levels that the State enjoyed last year just before the onset of a hot summer.

With the State Government undecided on the future course of action about the Medigadda Barrage, the lifting of Godavari water to Mid Manair, SRSP, Yellampalli, Kaddem, Nijam Sagar, and a series of reservoirs up to Singur might not happen in time for Kharif.

Hence, the State will have to save and utilise every TMC for drinking water purposes of the districts in the command areas. Water has been left downstream from the Medigadda barrage after the sagging of three pillars 19,20 and 21. It could have stored at least 16 TMC of Godavari water. Annaram with 10.87 TMC and Sundilla with a storage capacity of 8.83 TMC could have a buffer of water to be lifted through the pumphouses to keep the Godavari and its command area in good spirits. Similarly, another 65 TMC of water that could have been stored with the help of check dams and minor irrigation ponds now awaits the repairs of Medigadda Barrage.

Water levels in reservoirs

As per the data available with the I&CAD Department Telangana as of February 14, 2024, the Priyadarshini Jurala project has 4.75 TMC against its capacity of 9.66 TMC when compared to 6.16 TMC last year on the same day.

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Srisailam has 39.67 TMC compared to 53.66 TMC last year, and Nagarjuna Sagar has 144.76 TMC compared to 227.06 TMC last year. The current inflows into these projects are almost nill except in Nagarjuna Sagar which has 3276 cusecs.

On the other hand, the situation in the Godavari basin which includes KLIP is no different. Singur used to supply water to Hyderabad city has 22.21 TMC compared to 23.43 TMC last year, the situation at Nizamsagar is fairly good with 10.05 TMC compared to 10.81 TMC last year, SRSP has 40.20 TMC compared to last year 54.39 TMC, Mid Manair (now part of KLIP) has 15.98 TMC compared to 20.87 TMC last year, lower Manair dam has 11.63 TMC compared to 13.56 TMC. Kaddem has 3.30 TMC compared to 5.19 TMC last year and Sripada Yellampally has 11.54 TMC compared to 18.98 TMC last year on February 14.

Levels in City reservoirs

The twin reservoirs that cater to the drinking water requirements of Hyderabad indicated a minuscule dip compared to last year. While Osman Sagar with a storage capacity of 3.9 TMC has 2.99 TMC on Wednesday and Himayatsagar with a capacity of 2.967 TMC has 2.386 TMC in store. Last year’s figures were 3.625 TMC and 2.773 TMC respectively.