CHENNAI: With the Poondi reservoir, a main drinking water source for Chennai city, being parched, Andhra Pradesh government has shown mercy towards the Tamil Nadu, as AP irrigation officials finally released Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir under Telugu-Ganga project. This comes at a time when the city is about to stare at drinking water scarcity.
According to Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), the Srisailam reservoir in AP had received good inflow, as southwest monsoon was giving copious rains and water in the dam was brimming to its capacity.
“Subsequently, water from Srisailam was diverted to Somasila reservoir and later to Kandaleru reservoir. Since water level at Kandaleru reservoir was poor, the recent inflow gradually increased the storage to 9.162 tmcft of water,” said a release issued by CMWSSB.
As the level in Kandaleru reservoir continued to rise, the Andhra Pradesh government decided to release water from the reservoir into Krishna canal to augment the drinking water needs of Chennai city.
“Accordingly, the regulator gates in the Krishna canal at Kandaleru dam were lifted on Saturday. While around 200 cusecs of water was released into the Krishna canal, officials said that release of water level will be stepped up gradually. Released water is expected to reach the zero point at Uthukottai (interstate border) within a week,” the release noted.
Meanwhile, public works department (WRD) has confirmed the release. Speaking to DC, M. Mani, superintending engineer, Palar Basin Circle, Chennai Region, PWD, said “we have already undertaken desilting works in Kandaleru-Poondi canal and there is a high possibility for AP irrigation officials to release more quantum of water in the coming days.”
Earlier, Kurugondla Ramakrishna, Telugu Desam MLA, Dr Prabhu Shankar, executive director, CMWSSB and Krishnakumar, executive engineer of water resources department, AP, were present during water release from Kandaleru reservoir.
