Release of water from Sri Ram Sagar Project to protect the standing crops in over 4.38 lakh acres up to Lower Manair Dam, began on Friday afternoon. To begin with, 2,000 cusecs was released in the main canal Kakatiya and was increased to 5,000 cusecs at 6 p.m.
For Saraswathi canal which goes to Nirmal and Adilabad district 600 cusecs would be released on Saturday. Release of 200 cusecs in Laxmi canal which provides water for irrigation in the district has been continuing since January 25. This would continue till March 31 and water would be released on “on and off” basis.
As of now, there is 29.934 tmcf as against the SRSP full capacity of 90 tmcf. After allocating 13.85 tmcf for Kakatiya and two to three tmcf for the rest of two canals there would be 11.5 tmcf which would be utilized for Mission Bhagiratha and drinking water purposes till July, according to Executive Engineer Rama Rao. Water would be given in four spells in the gap of 12 days each. However, initially the gap would be eight days. As reservoir did not get full level of water this year farmers have transplanted paddy below the normal extent. and therefore the release of water in four spells would suffice up to the harvest, said the authorities.
Government has also instructed project authorities to ensure the supply up to tail-end and judicious use of water by farmers. The mandal level officials in four districts were asked to coordinate with the farmers to effectively use the water.