Reservoirs in Andhra Pradesh hold 505.76 TMC after heavy rains

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Floodwater being discharged from the Prakasam Barrage across the Krishna in Vijayawada following heavy rains upstream. | Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri

The heavy rains triggered by the recent cyclones, Murasu and Arnab, have improved water availability in reservoirs across Andhra Pradesh, with the combined active storage reaching 505.76 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) as on November 6. The reservoirs still have substantial capacity to accommodate further inflows.

According to Water Resources Department (WRD) officials, the combined active storage in the State’s tracked reservoirs stood at 505.76 TMC against their total Full Reservoir Level (FRL) capacity of 1,161.36 TMC, leaving a flood cushion of 655.59 TMC.

The heavy rainfall, largely concentrated in the coastal districts, resulted in higher storage levels in reservoirs in Coastal Andhra. They held 343.18 TMC against their aggregate capacity of 682.05 TMC. Reservoirs in Rayalaseema, which received comparatively less rainfall, held 125.47 TMC against a capacity of 373.52 TMC.

The impact of the rains was also evident in the substantial flows at the major river barrages. The Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage on the Godavari was recording an inflow of around 79,911 cusecs, while the Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna was reporting 39,875 cusecs.

At the Pulichinthala project, inflows stood at 8,583 cusecs against an outflow of 400 cusecs, indicating that a substantial volume of incoming water was being impounded.

The improved storage levels offer an opportunity to conserve water for the ensuing agricultural season. At the same time, the availability of an adequate flood cushion is crucial to regulating further inflows and preventing sudden releases that could cause flooding downstream, officials said.

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