Inflows Pick Up At Srisailam As Rains Lash Upstream Regions

After a prolonged dry spell, inflows into the Srisailam reservoir have finally begun to improve following consistent rainfall in upstream regions over the past week, bringing much-needed relief to farmers in the ayacut areas.

Heavy rains in the catchment areas have led to increased inflows into the Priyadarshini Jurala project. Authorities have lifted the gates of the Jurala reservoir and are releasing water downstream. At present, the project is receiving an inflow of around 32,000 cusecs, while approximately 30,700 cusecs are being discharged downstream.

With water being released from Jurala, substantial floodwater is now reaching the Srisailam reservoir, project officials said. They added that further inflows are expected in the coming days as the India meteorological department has forecast heavy rainfall in the Bhima river basin areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra, as well as in the Western Ghats.

If the forecast holds, additional inflows from the Bhima river are likely to reach Jurala and subsequently Srisailam. Irrigation officials expressed optimism that continued rainfall in upstream regions will significantly boost water levels in the Srisailam project.

The development has brought cheer to farmers dependent on the ayacut, who had been facing distress due to reduced cultivation area caused by deficient rainfall linked to El Niño conditions so far this season.

Srisailam project water status (As of Wednesday)