KRMB panel allows AP to draw 9 tmc ft water for irrigation

KRMB panel allows AP to draw 9 tmc ft water for irrigation

Context:

Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has allowed Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to avail 33 tmcft of Krishna waters till the March-end for meeting immediate irrigation needs.

Details:

• The KRMB has allowed Andhra Pradesh to utilise 9 tmcft and Telangana 24 tmcft water to protect the standing crops under Nagarjunasagar Right and Left Canal systems
• About 15 tmcft out of 33 tmcft to be drawn by the two States would be released from Srisailam to Nagarjunasagar after generation of power.

Backdrop:

• The dispute over utilisation of Krishna water reached a flash point on February 28 when the irrigation officials and police from the two sides gathered at Srisailam Right Canal regulator at the reservoir site, following orders issued by KRMB to stop water release to the canal.
• The officials from Andhra Pradesh were insisting upon withdrawal of water below the minimum draw down level (MDDL) in Nagarjunasagar – 510 ft level with storage of 131.669 tmc ft – in the name of saving the standing crop both under the Right and Left Canals in its territory
• However, their Telangana counterparts opposed it strongly highlighting the difficulties in drawing drinking water, particularly to Hyderabad in 2017

KRMB Findings:

• KRMB calculated available water above MDDL at 36.18 tmcft on February 27
• MDDL of Nagarjunasagar fixed at 510 ft with storage of 131.67 tmcft and that of Srisailam at 834 ft with storage of 53.85 tmcft
• Water level in Nagarjunasagar stood at 522.8 ft (154.43 tmcft) against FRL of 590 ft; Srisailam at 840.7 ft (62.94 tmcft) against FRL of 885 ft