The summer is not at its peak yet, but it is already aggravating tensions between the sibling states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The reason: sharing of water left in the Krishna reservoirs. With no inflows, the water levels in the reservoirs are near rock bottom. The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam has only 125 tmcft water left as against its gross storage capacity of 312 tmcft. The situation in Srisailam (gross storage capacity of 215 tmcft) is worse. It has only 31 tmcft available.
Ever since the bifurcation of the state in 2014, the sharing of Krishna waters has become a bone of contention between the states, with each side refusing to accommodate the other’s concerns at talks convened by the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB).In February, after prolonged arguments and frayed tempers, both grudgingly agreed that till the end of summer, Telangana would draw 31 tmcft and Andhra 47 tmcft from the Nagarjuna Sagar. But Telangana has already used its quota. It now wants 10 tmcft more. Taking serious exception to this, Andhra shot off a letter to the KRMB pointing out that of the 47 tmcft allocated, it has so far received only 29.8 tmcft and is entitled to 17.2 tmcft more. It wanted the KRMB to release the balance amount before fresh allocations are made.
Both states have come up with sound arguments. Andhra says since the KRMB has given operational control of the gates of the dam’s left and right canals to Telangana, the latter has used all the allocated water while delaying release of water to it from the right canal. Telangana says Andhra’s claim is unjustified since it’s excluding water lost due to evaporation. Telangana maintains it is releasing water as per the agreement. As water is a precious commodity, particularly in summer, it is natural both states want as much as possible. However, in the long-term interests of the people of the states, it is imperative they adopt a give-and-take approach. A quarrel would only delay the release of water, which is in no one’s interest.