The State government has constituted an expert committee with retired irrigation officials and others to suggest measures, including construction of check dams and barrages for tapping Krishna floodwaters for effective use in the Krishna Delta.
Due to rains during the last four days, there had been a steady inflow from Munneru, Paleru and Wyra areas and more than five tmcft of water had been discharged downstream from Prakasam Barrage. On the other end, nearly five tmcft of water was stored in Pulichintala project. The situation would be tough, if water from Alamatti and upstream was released.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to save and put excess Krishna floodwaters to good use. The nine-member expert committee would now study and analyse different aspects and suggest effective measures, said Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao here on Monday.
In the past, a barrage was proposed at Chevitikallu and Damuluru in Kanchikacherla mandal to avoid inundation of surrounding villages during heavy rains and arrest excess floodwater. Similarly, a check dam was suggested at Nadakuduru under Chellapally mandal. The panel would be inspecting Keesara, Munneru, Wyra and Krishna next week and suggest an action plan by next year.
This would be taken up with Central Water Commission and Krishna River Board Management and based on their recommendations, things would be finalised, he said. The Minister said nearly 5.60 lakh cusecs of Godavari water was discharged into the sea from Dowleswaram. Keeping this in view, Pattiseema was being taken up to divert excess water to meet the Krishna delta requirements.
The nine-member panel will inspect Keesara, Munneru, Wyra and Krishna next week
