Date:04/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/04/stories/2005020402670500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Tungabhadra flow increases

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, FEB. 3. There has been sudden rise in the Tungabhadra flow with the discharge at Sunkesula estimated to be at 2,000 cusecs. While the irrigation officials are struggling to maintain the base flow into the KC Canal to keep the drinking water schemes functioning, the level rose on Thursday because of rain in the catchment area in the last few days.

Though the KC Canal was formally closed for agriculture operations, the excess water in the river was diverted to the canal. Around 1,400 cusecs was let into the canal while around 400 cusecs flowed through the construction vent into the river.

Yesterday, the flow at Mantralayam in the upper reaches of Sunkesula barrage was recorded at 3,900 cusecs which is likely to touch Sunkesula tomorrow. On Thursday, around 2,790 cusecs was flowing in the river at Mantralayam. The minor flood to the river in February is likely to keep the river alive till the end of the month. Otherwise the river would have gone dry by the middle of the month.

Meanwhile, the district administration proposed to secure 3.3 tmcft from the Tungabhadra reservoir to meet the drinking water needs in summer. Of it, around 1.2 tmcft would be stocked in the Gajuladinne project. The release from the TB dam was proposed in two spells -- February 11 to March 15 and April 11 to May 10. Water would be drawn at the rate of 30 cusecs from the Gajuladinne project for supply to the Kurnool city.