The unprecedented volume of floodwaters that went waste after being released into the sea during the recent Krishna floods points to the urgent need of building more reservoirs and canals, experts said.
That the parched region of Rayalaseema was unable to utilise any of the floodwaters speaks volumes about the need for better management of surface water, experts said, adding that construction of more reservoirs and canals would help save the excess water which could be used in Rayalaseema, as well as in Nellore and Prakasam districts.
Cushion for Srisailam
The Siddeswaram weir, if built, would have provided a cushion to the Srisailam dam as the waters would reach the weir first. According to retired irrigation official Subba Rayudu, the water level needs to reach 854 feet in the Srisailam reservoir in order to start releasing water to the Pothyreddipadu head regulator.
"However, the dam levels go down significantly due to the usage by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and it is impossible to maintain water at 854 feet," Mr. Rayudu said. He added that if the Siddeswaram weir were to be constructed, the water could be diverted from the weir to Pothireddypadu head regulator from which it could be diverted to reservoirs. "It would take less than two days for the weir to fill up. The water can then be released to Srisailam from the weir," he added.
Mr. Rayudu had authored a widely acclaimed book, detailing how to use the water resources of Kurnool district. He claims that the district is releasing more water than what was specified as there is a lack of infrastructure in the district. "We have currently released about 800 tmcft of water into the Krishna while the stipulated amount to be released is only 344 tmcft," he said.
Inadequate infra
Moreover, constructing more reservoirs can stop the Tungabhadra water from merging with the Krishna water, bringing down the strain on existing infrastructure. "The Bachawat Tribunal allowed for the construction of reservoirs in Kurnool, which can save about 52 tmcft of water. However, we currently only have enough infrastructure to save about four tmcft," Mr. Rayudu claimed.
Just the Gundrevula reservoir alone could save up to 20 tmcft water, which could be used to supply drinking and irrigation needs of the district. Moreover, there were also plans to construct a parallel canal to the Tungabhadra High-Level Canal which could divert the excess floodwaters to Anantapur district by gravity.
