Telangana sandwiched between two states
HYDERABAD: Almatti Dam in Karnataka is already half full. This spells a good news for Karnataka, and a worrisome one for Telangana. While this is not something uncommon in the months of July and August every year, what’s bothersome is Andhra Pradesh’s diverting of Godavari waters to Krishna Delta. The sibling state of Telangana is also mulling construction of three more barrages downstream Prakasam to safeguard the interests of its farmers. This leaves Telangana sandwiched between Karnataka, which is obstructing flow of water to downstreams, and AP, which is positioned in a better place in the Krishna basin.
As against the gross storage capacity of 129.72 tmcft, Almatti had 64.03 tmcft of waters as on Thursday. The situation in Tungabhadra dam is somewhat better. As against its 100.86 tmcft storage capacity, the dam has 54.34 tmcft storage and the inflows are 49,790 cusecs.
However, water from Almatti will be released only once it is full and Karnataka meets all its irrigation water requirements. While the inflows and rains in Godavari basin in Telangana have been better this week, the situation in Krishna basin of Telangana is bad this year too. However, Andhra Pradesh has overcome this problem by diverting Godavari waters to Krishna delta through Pattiseema project and the farmers there are raising nurseries in June itself.
Besides, according to the latest reports, the Andhra government has planned three barrages downstream Prakasam. One barrage with an estimated cost of `2,000 crore to store 7.2 tmcft has been planned near Vaikunthapuram, 23 km down the Prakasam. Below Vaikunthapuram barrage, another one is planned near Chodavaram to store 2.7 tmcft with an estimated cost of `900 crore. Below this, another barrage has been proposed at an estimated cost of `1,200 crore to store 4.5 tmcft.
But, the fate of TS farmers in Krishna basin has been hanging in balance. “Karnataka not releasing water downstream from Almatti has become a common phenomenon every year,” an official pointed out. Though Telangana demanded 45 tmcft share upstream Nagarjuna Sagar for Telangana in lieu of AP’s 45 tmcft diversion of Godavari water to Prakasam barrage, the matter is pending with the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal.
Following this, the State has asked Centre to consider the release of water in Krishna on pro rata basis, which again requires the Tribunal’s nod. At present, Karnataka is not releasing water till its quota of share in Krishna is filled. If pro rata basis is applied, the available water would be released to all the States.
Fishermen out of work due to floods
Bhadrachalam: Due to flooding of Godavari river, construction of new bridge at Bhadrachalam has been stalled. Also, bathing ghats are inundated. Sub-collector Bhavesh Mishra said administration has taken all steps to face floods and arrangements were being made to evacuate people from low-lying areas. He said: “Shelters have been set up in flood-affected places.” Between Wazeedu and Kunavaram, several fishermen have lost their means of livelihood due to floods
Rains bring cheer to Mahbubnagar farmers
Mahbubnagar: The low depression zone that formed over Bay of Bengal turned out to be a blessing in disguise for farmers of Mahbubnagar. The district has been witnessing rains since last four days. This has brought smiles on faces of the farmers, who have started tiling their fields. The rains have also resulted in huge inflows of water at Jurala reservoir. Tanks, check dams, small streams and subsidiaries are brimming with water