Telangana has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past five days, with more expected in the next four to five days. However, the irrigation projects and reservoirs in the Krishna and Godavari delta have not received sufficient inflows. This is a concern as water levels in these projects are currently lower than last year. If good inflows are not received by the end of July, a crisis may occur. Normally, by the first or second week of July, these projects receive abundant inflows.
Due to the delayed southwest monsoon, the state government is making alternative plans for the kharif season. Many farmers have not begun their farming activities due to a scarcity of irrigation water in several districts. The government is making arrangements to provide water from Kaleshwaram to the fields starting from the end of July.
The water levels in catchment areas such as Alamatti, Narayanpur, and Ujjain under the Krishna River in Karnataka are increasing slowly. The current water levels in these three reservoirs are below their full reservoir levels, which should have been achieved by now. To fill projects like Jurala, Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala in Telangana, heavy rain inflows are required.
Currently, Srisailam’s water level is below its full reservoir level, with last year’s inflow being much closer to the full level. Nagarjuna Sagar’s water level is also lower than last year. The water levels in the Godavari basin are not at the expected levels either.
Fortunately, there has been some relief from inflows from Maharashtra, which have filled projects like Nizam Sagar, Sri Ram Sagar, Mid Manair, Lower Manair dam, Kaddam, and Sripada Yellampalli with floodwater. The water levels in these projects are similar to last year’s reserves. However, continuous rainfall is needed for at least one week to reach the full reservoir levels of all projects.
