Gadwal: The Priyadarshini Jurala Project (PJP) on the Krishna River is experiencing a significant rise in water levels. This increase is due to heavy rains upstream and contributions from the catchment area. By 6:00 PM on June 29, 2025, the water was at 317.300 meters (1,041.010 feet), which is just 1.216 meters shy of its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 318.516 meters, indicating a gross storage capacity of 9.657 TMC.
The current storage figures are notable. The gross storage is 7.279 TMC, and the live storage is 3.572 TMC. With the current water level at 317.300 meters, the reservoir is holding a large amount of water. This is good news for irrigation and power generation in the region.
The reservoir is receiving an inflow of 1.5 lakh cusecs due to releases upstream and monsoon runoff. To manage this, 12 spillway gates have been opened, allowing 1,16,424 cusecs to flow downstream. The powerhouse is using 25,785 cusecs for electricity generation.
Several lift irrigation schemes and canal systems are drawing water for agricultural and regional needs. The Bhima Lift-I Scheme draws 650 cusecs, the Koilsagar Lift Scheme uses 315 cusecs, the Left Main Canal (LMC) takes 150 cusecs, and the Right Main Canal (RMC) uses 290 cusecs (including 150 cusecs from the RDS Link Canal). No water has been drawn by the Nettampadu Lift, Bhima Lift-II, or the Parallel Canal. Evaporation is causing a loss of 42 cusecs, which is typical under current weather conditions.
In total, the reservoir’s outflow, including all spillway releases, canal draws, lifts, power generation, and evaporation, is 1,43,656 cusecs.
With the dam nearing full capacity and continued high inflows, authorities are carefully managing spillway releases. This ensures farmers in the Left and Right Canal areas will have reliable water for the upcoming Kharif season. While officials are monitoring potential inflow increases closely, they are working with downstream reservoirs and local administrations to prepare. No flood warnings have been issued yet, but communities along the Krishna basin are encouraged to stay informed through official updates.
This effective water management reflects the irrigation and water resources department’s readiness to handle monsoon inflows safely and efficiently, optimizing both safety and utility.
