Minister for Irrigation Devineni Umamaheswara Rao released flood water from Srisailam reservoir on Monday following the dam attaining the full level.
The dam discharged 1.20 lakh cuses through four sluice gates which were raised to a height of 10 ft.
Following fresh inflows into the reservoir, the level rose to FRL of 885 ft accounting for total stocking of 215 tmcft. By evening the inflows dwindled to 1.06 lakh cusecs while the outflow through sluice gates and power houses remained at 1.90 lakh cusecs.
Pothireddypadu head regulator which supported KC canal and SRBC drew 8,000 cusecs and Hundri-Neeva Lift Irrigation scheme 1,000 cusecs. Along with the Minister, MP S.P.Y. Reddy, MLAs B.C. Janardhan Reddy and B. Jayanageswara Reddy, Collector Ch. Vijayamohan, SP A. Ravikrishna and other officials were present.
Mr. Umamaheswara Rao said filling of Srisailam reservoir augured well for Khariff cultivation in Rayalaseema and Krishna Delta areas. The copious rains, though delayed, ensured flow of good amount of flood into the reservoir. The project would support the irrigation, drinking water needs and power generation to some extent.
He said both the States would have proper coordination for utilisation and sharing of water resources. He said the dam safety would be reviewed soon as the recommendations of the expert committee were received. The irrigation officials who rendered exemplary services during the flood in 2009 would be presented commendation certificates by the Chief Minister. After the release, the Minister and other VIPs waited for some time to enjoy the spectacle of water fall from the dam crest gates. The panoramic view feasted the eyes of onlookers. Chief Engineer Kasivisweswara Rao, and ZP chairman Mallela Rajasekhar were present.
