Experts warn threat to marine life

​Atmakur (Kurnool): Complying with the Krishna River Water Management Board decision, 8.6883 tmcft will be released from Srisailam reservoir to Nagarjunasagar dam to quench the thirst of people. The measure will reduce availability of oxygen in water to the marine life.

Marine science experts from Goa in a report to the Srisailam dam officials said that the water is emitting foul smell because of reduction in oxygen level and people are advised to boil the water before consuming it. The water board advises authorities to maintain water level at 785 feet and use the surplus water.

But the Goa scientists say that the availability of oxygen below 790 feet will be deficient for marine life and the pollution-level will be very high. But, if the water is released through the dam sluice to places like Hyderabad and Vijayawada the oxygen level will increase.

If the water level were to decrease by another 19 feet in the dam what would be the repercussions? The decision is best left to dam and medical and health officials since people living in Srisailam project colony, left bank colony and some of the devotees are sure to become indisposed upon drinking water from the project.

Last year also, the same problem surfaced with the government releasing 18 tmcft of water to Nagarjunasagar from the dam reducing the storage level in the dam to 775 feet.