The inflow into the Somasila reservoir across the river Penna dropped to 16,807 cusecs as floods receded in the Kundu river on Tuesday. On Sunday, the reservoir recorded this season’s highest inflow of over 92,000 cusecs
The State government has decided to release Krishna water to Chennai from Wednesday on priority basis keeping in mind the needs of the metropolis.
Telugu Ganga Project (TGP) Chief Engineer R.Muralinath Reddy will formally release water from the Kandeluru reservoir, where the storage went up to 12.28 tmcft on Tuesday.
“Initially, 500 cusecs will be released. The discharge will be scaled up to 2,000 cusecs gradually after assessing the canal carrying capacity and for any breaches en route,” explained TGP Superintending Engineer K. Harinarayana Reddy.
Subsequently, Krishna water will be released to meet the drinking water needs of Tirupati, Srikalahasti and Venktagiri.
Priority area
The discharge to Kandaleru was maintained at 11,000 cusecs, giving priority to drinking supply, said Nellore Circle Irrigation Superintending Engineer B.S.V. Prasada Rao.
The inflow into Somasila is likely to go up again in the coming days as weatherman has predicated more rains in the catchment of the Somasila reservoir in the next two days, Mr. Rao said
The increase in water levels at the Somasila and Kandeluru reservoirs has brought cheer to farmers as they can grow crops on a full extent at least during the rabi season this year. Last year, the level in the Somasila reservoir fell alramingly touching dead storage level during last year. The irrigation authorities are of confident of ensuring water to 5 lakh acres in Penna delta and 3 lakh acres under the TGP.
