Srisailam Project, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Face Water Scarcity: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh to Manage with 150 TMC Over 5 Months

Hyderabad: Despite an abundant monsoon season and significant inflows into the Krishna Basin, the Srisailam Project and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam are now facing a critical water shortage. With just 150 TMC of water available for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the next five months, both states must exercise strict measures to meet their drinking water and irrigation demands until June 2025.

The Srisailam Project recorded an impressive inflow of 1,620 TMC this year, while the Nagarjuna Sagar Project received over 1,200 TMC. However, due to extensive usage throughout the year, the reservoirs are now left with a combined storage of 321 TMC—92 TMC at Srisailam and 229 TMC at Nagarjuna Sagar. Of this, only 150 TMC remains above the minimum drawdown levels—854 feet for Srisailam and 510 feet for Nagarjuna Sagar—posing a serious challenge for water distribution.

Water Usage So Far

According to reports, Andhra Pradesh has already drawn over 600 TMC of water, while Telangana has utilized 170 TMC. These disparities in water usage underscore the ongoing tensions between the two states over the equitable sharing of Krishna River water.

Challenges Ahead

The Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has stepped in, appointing a three-member committee to address the allocation of the remaining water between the two states. However, no clear decisions have been made yet. Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh must strategize to ensure efficient use of the limited resources for drinking water and agricultural needs, particularly with the rabi season underway.

With the next monsoon season still months away, the coming period is expected to test the resilience and cooperation between the two states. Timely decisions by the KRMB and the implementation of water conservation measures will be crucial in averting a crisis.

Critical Outlook

The water shortage raises significant concerns for the agricultural sector, which is heavily dependent on irrigation from the Krishna Basin reservoirs. Farmers in both states are apprehensive about the situation, with Telangana calling for fair distribution of water and Andhra Pradesh emphasizing its higher water needs due to extensive cropping patterns.

Hope for Timely Monsoons

As both states prepare to manage with reduced water supplies, the hope lies in timely monsoons to replenish the depleted reservoirs. In the meantime, stakeholders are urging efficient water management, crop planning, and conservation efforts to minimize the impact on livelihoods and ensure sustainable use of the available resources.

The outcome of the KRMB committee’s findings and the cooperative efforts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will determine the course of action in this critical situation.