AMARAVATI: In a development that could cool down the tempers between AP and Telangana, the Srisailam Project is inching closer to full reservoir level (FRL).
With massive water flow continuing from the upstream, it is expected that the Srisailam Project will reach FRL in the next three days.
The water level has improved in the project thanks to flow from the upstream. The water level at the project had already touched 865 ft against the maximum level of 885 ft. The water reserves have also significantly improved to nearly 110tmc from just around 30-35tmc last week.
With Central Water Commission (CWC) indicating that the inflows at Srisailam would continue at four lakh cusecs per day for a few more days, the project authorities anticipated that it would receive at least 150 tmc in the next three days. Interestingly, the project is left with flood cushion of just around 99 tmc. This means that at least 35-50 tmc water will go to the downstream project, Nagarjuna Sagar.
Keeping in view of the fast surging water levels at Srisailam, the AP government has requested the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to allow it to go for power generation from the Right Bank Power Station. In a letter to the KRMB member secretary, engineer-in-chief C Narayana Reddy has explained the flood situation anticipated by the CWC and also the project authorities.
He said that they were seeking prior permission from the KRMB for power generation as it is the authority to advise both the states during the floods and droughts with regard to the management of water.
“As per the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, the successor state governments shall be responsible for managing natural calamities, while the river boards shall advise the two state governments on the management of disaster or drought or flood in the rivers of Krishna and Godavari, particularly in reference to the release of water for the management and mitigation of the natural calamities. The boards shall have the full authority to get their orders implemented by AP and Telangana promptly and effectively in respect of operation of the head works of the dams, reservoirs or head works of canals and works appurtenant there to including the hydel power projects, as notified by the Union government, on Krishna and Godavari rivers.
“Keeping in view the present situation, Srisailam reservoir is going have surplus waters within three days, it is requested to allow to utilise water for power generation through Right Bank Power House by APGENCO, otherwise water will go waste over the spillway gates to nobody’s benefit,” said ENC Narayana Reddy.
Telangana State Genco is continuing power generation from Left Bank power station for the past 50 days without permission from KRMB and even before the Krishna river witnessed floods in the upstream. According to AP, Telangana had already utilised 82 tmc of its share of 299tmc in the Krishna waters.
