Reservoirs in Krishna, Godavari basins dry up

Reservoirs in Krishna, Godavari basins dry up
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Though water reserves in Krishna and Godavari rivers are almost empty, the state government has plans to commence this kharif season from June first week, a few days in advance to original schedule.

Vijayawada: Though water reserves in Krishna and Godavari rivers are almost empty, the state government has plans to commence this kharif season from June first week, a few days in advance to original schedule.

The government plans to release water early in the current season and complete it smoothly in view of forthcoming elections. But the situation is quite contrary to the expectations of government. The water release would not be possible unless the monsoon enters Andhra Pradesh in the first week of June. According to officials, the water in reservoirs of both Krishna and Godavari basin had reached dead storage level.

The water available in various reservoirs is 23.9 tmcft in Almatti, 3.62 tmcft in Jurala, 17.75 tmcft in Narayanapur, 28.94 tmcft in Srisailam and 135 tmcft in Nagarjuna Sagar and 1.78 tmcft in Dr KL Rao Indira Sagar (Pulichintala). The low-water level in Krishna basin clearly shows the impossibility of water release for Krishna delta in the current season.

Similarly, there is severe water shortage in Godavari basin also. All the projects in Godavari basin from Godavari Delta System to Jaikwad, Kaddam, Lower Manair Dam, Singur, Sriram Sagar are also empty.

Previously the state government had lifted nearly 140 tmcft water from Godavari to Krishna basin. The farming community of Krishna delta could secure their crops from Godavari waters though there was no water in Krishna river.

In this backdrop, the government wants to divert more quantity of water from Godavari to Krishna. Especially, the government has plans to start drawing of water early in this season. But the water levels in reservoirs of Godavari basin also hitting dead storage level due to lack of rains.

One senior official on condition of anonymity said that the government plans to release water from June first-week but it might not be possible unless there would be copious rains in the upstream areas.

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