Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's plans of releasing water to Rayalaseema and drought-proofing the state, has hit another roadblock, with the water level at Srisailam reservoir staying low.
Water level at Srisailam reservoir is presently around 840 feet, despite directing the water from the heavy rains in catchment areas.
According to a report in the Times of India, copious inflows for 15 days has only ensured that the dam received only 62.8 TMC feet water while its gross capacity is 215 TMC feet.
"Water can be released to Rayalaseema through Pothyreddypadu head regulator when the level at Srisailam reaches 854 feet. Now, the level is just above 840 feet and at this level, water can't move to any of the Rayalaseema districts, including Anantapur," a senior engineer in the irrigation department told the newspaper.
Naidu had earlier promised to release water to Rayalaseema this Kharif season, via the Pattiseema project, which plans to 'drough-proof' the state by directing the Godavari river into the dry region of the state.
However, keeping in mind the present water level at Srisailam, Naidu has reportedly postponed the water release.
Another parallel incident sparked off controversy after acute power shortage forced both the Telugu speaking states to release some water from the dam, and start Hydel power generation at Srisailam.
Several farmers from Rayalseema protested this move, demanding that the government stop power generation and maintain the water level.
Naidu now has to take a decision on whether to continue power generation or maintain the water level.