Date:04/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/04/stories/2008080457400300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Water released from Jurala

Correspondent

Release of water delayed compared to last year
Poor inflows into reservoir due to failure of monsoon

MAHABUBNAGAR: With the release of water to right and left main canals from Jurala project reservoir on Saturday evening, the long wait of ayacutdars of both sides for water to their fields has ended.

The release of water was much delayed compared to last year, as inflows into Jurala reservoir were minimum due to failure of monsoon, this year.

Anticipating that inflows into Jurala reservoir may arrive in the second week of July, the Irrigation Development Board announced that the water would be released from July 15 but meagre inflow forced the irrigation officials to postpone the date of release.

As a result of recent rain in Krishna river catchment areas that fall in Maharashtra and Karnataka Almati and Narayanapoor dams in upper reaches of Jurala reservoir started receiving inflows, paving the way to inflows into Jurala reservoir. According to officials of Jurala dam, Almatti received 62,500 cusecs of water into its reservoir while it discharged 8,984 cusecs into down stream and Narayanapoor dam received 18,589 cusecs while discharging 6,217 cusecs into down stream on Saturday.

Jurala received 4,276 cusecs of water into its reservoir raising the level of the reservoir to 315.68 TMC ft.

The officials said the volume of inflows into Jurala reservoir are likely to rise further.

The volume of the releases would be increased in accordance with the increase in inflows into the reservoir officials said.