With no water to replenish, Sagar stares at DRY future

Nalgonda: The lifeline project of the two Telugu-speaking states, the Nagarjunasagar project, looks more like an empty pot, thanks to the dismal rains this year. The project which has been providing water to both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh now paints a gloomy picture with water reaching dead storage level.

Highlights:

• The water level in the reservoir now stands below the dead storage level
• The lives of farmers in the two states will be in jeopardy if rains remain elusive

The tourist spot which boasted of pleasant weather with sufficient water is now in a pitiable condition with falling water levels. So far in the history of the project, the water level fell to 10 feet. In view of the falling water levels, the future of farmers of both right and left canals of the project has become a big question mark.

Last year during the same time, nearly 4,000 cusecs of water per day reached the project from Srisailam Dam. However, this time that situation has become grave with reservoir water level standing at 501 feet, which is 9 feet below the dead storage level of 510 feet. The full capacity of Sagar reservoir is 320 tmcft at 590 feet and dead storage is decided at 510 feet.

Following the directions of Krishna River Management Board, the officials have been releasing one tmcft of water to both right and right canals for the last the one week to cater the drinking water needs of the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, the capacity of Sagar reservoir has been reducing year by year.

The water capacity of the reservoir at the time of construction was 420 tmcft, but now it has reached 320 tmcft due to accumulation of silt. At present, the Sagar reservoir wears desert look and fate of the dam is now rested on the rains and floods in its catchment areas.