PNS|Vijayawada
As a result of the recent heavy rains in the upper states, several major reservoirs in Andhra Pradesh, including Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala, are experiencing significant increases in water levels.
As of Sunday noon, the Srisailam Project has accumulated 70 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water, which is well below its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) capacity of 215.807 TMCs. Likewise, Nagarjuna Sagar currently holds 140.492 TMCs of water, and the Pulichintala Project has a storage of 31.713 TMCs.
The Srisailam Project has been receiving an influx of approximately 1.27 lakh cusecs (cubic feet per second) of floodwater from the above reservoirs. Consequently, the water level in the project has reached 845.50 feet, with a total water storage of 70.977 TMCs. It is important to note that the project’s storage capacity at its Full Reservoir Level is 215.807 TMCs, corresponding to a water level of 885 feet.
Meanwhile, the Nagarjuna Sagar Project currently holds 140.492 TMCs of water, with a total storage capacity of 312.05 TMCs. Presently, the water level in the project stands at 515.100 feet, compared to its Full Reservoir Level of 590 feet. Inflows to the Nagarjuna Sagar Project are measured at 6,198 cusecs, and these inflows are being released downstream. Similarly, the Pulichintala Project has a water storage of 31.713 TMCs, and its water level is currently at 165.057 feet.
On another note, the Almatti project, situated upstream on the river Krishna, is also experiencing a gradual increase in its storage capacity due to the continuous influx of floodwater from the incessant rains. Presently, the Almatti reservoir holds 97.972 TMCs of water at a water level of 1699.015 feet, approaching its Full Reservoir Capacity of 1705 feet. As for Narayanpur, it has a water storage of 35.507 TMCs out of its total capacity of 37.64 TMCs.
Regarding the Prakasam Barrage, flood discharges have started receding. As of 8 pm, officials have released 36,759 cusecs of surplus water downstream.
The Water Resources Department authorities have operated 50 gates, each raised to a height of one foot, while 20 gates have been closed. Inflows at the Prakasam Barrage have been measured at 37,671 cusecs, and this water is being discharged into the river.
With the continuous rainfall and inflow, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to manage the water levels in the reservoirs and ensure the safety of the downstream areas.
