As the monsoon progresses, both states are poised for a prosperous agricultural season, with the Krishna River once again proving its role as a lifeline for the region.
Published Jul 02, 2025 | 9:15 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 02, 2025 | 9:56 AM
Srisailam dam and Krishna river. (Wikimedia Commons)
Synopsis: The recent rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka is driving substantial water inflows into the dams on the Krishna and its tributaries and has raised optimism in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The early onset of monsoon has brought cheers to farmers and the ruling parties in both the riparian states.
There is now optimism in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh that this year may not pose difficulties for water for irrigation and drinking purposes. The hope arises after the steady increase in inflows into the major reservoirs of the Krishna River basin — Almatti, Narayanpur, Tungabhadra, Jurala, Srisailam, and Nagarjuna Sagar.
The recent rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka is driving substantial water inflows into the dams on the Krishna River and its tributaries. The early onset of monsoon has brought cheers to farmers and the ruling parties in both the riparian states.
The Krishna River, which originates in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and traverses Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, supports a vast agricultural region.
Tungabhadra Dam is also filling up fast, and any release of water joins the Krishna near Alampur in the Gadwal district of Telangana. After the tributary joins, the Krishna waters reach the Srisailam project in the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, one of the major hydel projects in India.
Even though Almatti reservoir in Karnataka is not yet full, the other reservoirs on the Krishna downstream are. As of 1 July, Almatti has only 86.662 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water as against the full reservoir capacity of 123.8 tmcft. Its water level was 1696.6 ft as against the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 1,704.8 ft. The inflows were 91,346 cusecs while outflows are about 72,031 cusecs.
In Narayanpur, too, discharge is quite significant. The outflows are about 72,849 cusecs while the inflows are 72,815 cusecs. The reservoir held 26.5 tmcft of water as against its full capacity of 33 tmcft. Water levels were 1,609 ft as against 1,615 ft FRL.
The inflows into the Tungabhadra dam are also steady. Though its capacity is 105.788 tmcft this year, it has been decided to impound only 88 tmcft, as one of the gates is under repair. Which means that there would be early release of water downstream of the river, which would join the Krishna in Telangana state. The inflows are 33,916 cusecs, and the outflows are 2,389 cusecs. Water levels are 1624.3 ft as against 1633 ft FRL.
The Jurala project, the first one on Krishna in Telangana, is receiving huge inflows, with its catchment also receiving heavy rainfall. The dam has inflows of about 98,000 cusecs, and outflow is 1 lakh cusecs. The total capacity of the project is 9.6 tmcft, and at present, it is holding 7.22 tmcft of water. Eleven gates of the project have been lifted to allow floodwaters downstream.
The water level at Srisailam reservoir, the largest hydroelectric project in Andhra Pradesh, is 874.3 ft as against the FRL of 885. It has about 164.75 tmcft of water now as against the full reservoir capacity of 215.81 tmcft. The inflows are about 87,357 cusecs, and if the inflows are steady, the dam would soon fill up.
The project supports irrigation, hydroelectric power (1,670 megawatt capacity), and drinking water supply. The Srisailam Dam feeds the systems like the Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva, and Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal, ensuring water for the arid Rayalaseema region.
In Telangana, Srisailam dam supplies water to lift irrigation schemes like Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, and Koilsagar, benefiting districts such as Nalgonda, Suryapet, Khammam, and Bhadradri Kothagudem. The recent inflows are expected to enable timely water releases for the Kharif season drought.
However, Nagarjuna Sagar has yet to receive floodwaters. The inflows are a mere 6,557 cusecs, and outflows are 4,417 cusecs. The project has a capacity of 312 tmcft, and the present storage is 139 tmcft. It has a long way to go before it fills up. The water levels are 514 ft as against 490 ft (FRL).
The project, which straddles the border between Telangana’s Nalgonda district and Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, is one of India’s largest masonry dams. The dam’s extensive canal network irrigates approximately 18.5 lakh acres in the Krishna Delta region, making it a cornerstone of agricultural productivity in both states.
Hopes are pinned on the inflows into Nagarjuna Sagar as it irrigates through its canal network, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, Prakasam, and parts of West Godavari, supporting crops like paddy, sugarcane, and cotton in Andhra Pradesh.
Inflows into Nagarjuna Sagar are crucial as the reservoir supplies nearly one TMCft per month (250 million gallons per day) to Hyderabad, meeting about 50 percent of the city’s water needs. The Srisailam Dam also contributes to drinking water for both states, and Chennai via the Telugu Ganga Project. The increased water levels ensure a reliable supply, alleviating concerns about shortages during the dry season.
The dams are also critical for power generation. Srisailam’s 1,670 MW capacity and Nagarjuna Sagar’s 815.6 MW capacity have already generated significant electricity in recent months. The sustained inflows will allow full-capacity hydel generation, reducing reliance on costlier energy sources and supporting the national grid.
The Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam dams, along with downstream projects like the Pulichintala Dam and Prakasam Barrage, ensure water for approximately 1.5 million hectares.
Last year, Andhra Pradesh faced water scarcity due to low inflows, leading to reduced sowing in some areas. However, the current inflows are expected to support a robust Kharif season, with farmers preparing to cultivate paddy, maize, and vegetables.
The Tungabhadra Dam’s contributions are vital for Rayalaseema, where water scarcity often limits cropping to millets and groundnuts.
In Telangana, the Krishna basin irrigates districts like Nalgonda, Khammam, and Mahabubnagar, supporting crops including paddy, cotton, and chillies. The Jurala and Srisailam dams, along with lift irrigation schemes, have expanded the irrigated area, particularly in the left bank regions. Early inflows have raised hopes for a good harvest.
As the monsoon progresses, both states are poised for a prosperous agricultural season, with the Krishna River once again proving its role as a lifeline for the region.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
