Andhra Pradesh’s reservoirs are brimming with more than 80% capacity across major basins, as the coalition government under Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu emphasises effective water management. The strategy has ensured better utilisation of inflows from key rivers while minimising wastage.
According to an official release, inflows from the Krishna, Godavari, Penna and Vamsadhara Rivers have enabled the State to utilise about 310 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water so far this season. Major projects such as Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala on the Krishna filled last month and continue to receive steady floods, prompting releases downstream while diverting water to reservoirs, tanks and irrigation canals.
In the Krishna Delta, farmers have used 52 TMC since June 1, about 12 TMC more than in previous years. The Godavari Basin’s Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage has released 70 TMC for delta crops. In the Penna Basin, Veligonda, Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs are comfortably stocked. The Vamsadhara Basin’s Gotta Barrage has supplied 8 TMC.
Overall, as of August 24, major reservoirs hold about 650 TMC. Coordinated efforts have enabled the use of 309 TMC across basins, including 70 TMC from the Dowleswaram Barrage, 52 TMC from the Prakasam Barrage and 8 TMC from Vamsadhara. Another 156 TMC has been diverted through Potireddypadu, Handri-Neeva and the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal systems.
A key achievement is the expansion of the Handri-Neeva Canal, which now carries Krishna waters 738 km to Kuppam in Chittoor district, irrigating thousands of acres in Rayalaseema.
Despite the gains, officials revealed that over 1,969 TMC had flowed into the sea this season due to heavy upstream inflows. The State government plans to push river interlinking projects to better harness floodwaters.
