Officials deny release of water into Tungabhadra

Kurnool: Officials of the Irrigation department on Friday have condemned the allegations of TDP Kodumur constituency in-charge D Vishnuvardhan Reddy over release of water from Sunkesula Barrage to Tungabhadra River.

The TDP leader accused District Collector S Satyanarayana of instructing the irrigation officials to release water into Tungabhadra River for industrial needs instead of supplying the drinking water to 32 villages in his constituency.

When The Hans India tried to contact the Superintending Engineer (SE) of the Irrigation department, he was not available. But a source in the department denied of releasing water into Tungabhadra River from Sunkesula Barrage.

He asked when there is no inflow into the barrage then the question of releasing water into the river does not arise. The source further said the water stored in the Sunkesula Barrage is constant at 0.661 tmcft and this level is being maintained since April 1, 2018.

Of the constant level, the Kurnool municipality is drawing 104 cusecs of water every day to meet the drinking water needs of Kurnool residents. “We are now receiving 100 cusecs of rainwater with the continuous rains on the upper stream. If we receive more inflow into the barrage then there will be a chance of releasing water into Tungabhadra River,” the source stated.