KRMB Defers Decision on Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar Water Allocation

The three-member committee of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) met at Jalasoudha in Hyderabad and deferred a decision on the utilisation of water from the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar projects. In light of prevailing El Nino conditions, the committee decided that the available water across the reservoirs must be utilised primarily for drinking water needs.

The meeting was chaired by KRMB Member Secretary Satish and attended by Telangana Engineer-in-Chief Ramesh Babu and Andhra Pradesh Engineer-in-Chief Narasimha Murthy. The panel held detailed discussions on the present water availability in the Krishna basin and reviewed the drinking water requirements presented by both states.

During the proceedings, Telangana proposed that drinking water releases from both the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar projects be maintained on an equal 50:50 basis between the two states. However, Andhra Pradesh requested an allocation of 47 TMCft of water to meet its requirements through October, specifically seeking water to address drinking water needs in the Palnadu and Rayalaseema regions. Telangana registered its opposition to this demand.

Telangana also raised objections regarding Andhra Pradesh's drawal of water through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Ramesh Babu alleged that Andhra Pradesh had already utilised 10 TMCft of water beyond its permitted share. He stated that Telangana had lodged an official complaint regarding the matter with the KRMB.

In response, Andhra Pradesh ENC Narasimha Murthy stated that Telangana had previously agreed to Andhra Pradesh drawing 22 TMCft through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator. He also noted that the broader issue of water-sharing ratios was not taken up for discussion during Monday's meeting.

With no consensus reached on the allocations, the KRMB committee deferred its decision and scheduled its next meeting for September 4. The upcoming session will further review drinking water requirements alongside the likely availability of water in the coming period.