Srisailam Reservoir

Why in the News?

1. Telangana Deputy CM urged Andhra Pradesh to stop diversion of 11 tmcft (Thousand Million Cubic Feet) of water/day from the upper part of the Srisailam reservoir via the Pothireddypadu lift system.
2. Telangana fears the diversion will empty the reservoir in 25 days, harming farmers in Nalgonda and Khammam districts.
3. Telangana also opposed the Banakacherla project and raised concerns about Polavaram dam’s submergence impact.

About Srisailam Reservoir

1. Location – Built across the Krishna River, it lies in the border region of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, surrounded by the Nallamala Hills.
2. Construction – The dam is officially called the Srisailam Dam, a multipurpose project completed in 1981 for irrigation, hydropower, and flood control.
3. Capacity – It is the second-largest working hydroelectric station in India with a storage capacity of around 215 tmcft.
4. Purpose – Serves irrigation for lakhs of acres in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, provides drinking water to cities like Hyderabad, and supports hydropower generation.
5. Hydropower Plant – Equipped with underground powerhouses on both left and right banks with a combined capacity of 1,670 MW.
6. Religious Significance – Near the famous Srisailam temple dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna (one of the twelve Jyotirlingas) and Goddess Bhramaramba.
7. Geography – The reservoir is surrounded by dense forests of the Nallamala Hills, making it an important ecological zone.
8. Interstate Water Disputes – Regularly at the centre of Krishna River water-sharing disputes between Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Godavari River

Why in the News?

1. The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), built on the Godavari River in Telangana, is under scrutiny for alleged construction flaws, site changes, and cost escalations.
2. A judicial commission has submitted its inquiry report into KLIP’s lapses, prompting discussions in the Telangana legislature.
3. Concerns have been raised over damaged barrages like Medigadda, Sundilla, and Annaram, with charges of faulty foundations and ignoring technical advice.

About the Godavari River

1. Second-longest river in India – After the Ganga, the Godavari is the longest river in peninsular India, with a length of about 1,465 km.
2. Origin – Rises from Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra at an elevation of about 1,067 m.
3. Drainage Basin – Covers an area of about 3,12,812 sq. km, spanning Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and smaller portions of Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
4. Tributaries – Major ones include Pranahita, Indravati, Sabari, Manjira, Purna, and Penganga.
5. Religious Importance – Often called Dakshina Ganga (Ganga of the South); the Pushkaram festival is celebrated every 12 years on its banks.
6. Dams & Projects – Hosts major irrigation and hydro projects like Polavaram, Jayakwadi, Sriram Sagar, Dowleswaram Barrage, and Kaleshwaram.
7. Mouth – Empties into the Bay of Bengal through a wide delta in Andhra Pradesh, which is one of India’s most fertile regions.
8. Ecology – Supports rich biodiversity, fertile agricultural plains, and extensive mangrove forests near its delta.