Reservoir levels across Andhra Pradesh are full up to 78.23% of their total capacities following steady inflows. The Krishna basin is nearly full, while the Godavari system flows are being regulated through controlled releases.
The Water Resources Department officials say that the State’s total gross capacity at Full Reservoir Level (FRL) is 1,000.07 tmc ft.
As of Wednesday, the storage stood at 782.40 tmc ft, up from 672.93 tmc ft the same day the previous year.
Major reservoirs account for 737.65 tmc ft (81.%), while the medium reservoirs hold 44.76 tmc ft (48.87%). The overall flood cushion — available space to absorb inflows — was 217.67 tmc ft.
The Krishna basin remains dominant, with 561.88 tmc ft stored (95.29% of 589.67 tmc ft capacity) and only 27.79 tmc ft of cushion left. The Godavari basin storage is at 14.18 tmc ft (53.1% of 26.71 tmc ft), while the Pennar basin has improved to 132.87 tmc ft (58.83% of 225.86 tmc ft). Other basins hold 73.47 tmc ft (46.55%).
The Srisailam project holds 202.05 tmc ft (93.62%), with inflows of 1,89,651 cusecs and outflows of 2,47,683 cusecs. The level at Nagarjuna Sagar is 308.76 tmc ft (98.95%), leaving just 3.29 tmc ft of cushion, and is releasing 2,96,645 cusecs. Pulichinthala is storing 39.6 tmc ft (86.52%), releasing nearly all its inflows of over 3.15 lakh cusecs. The Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada is at full capacity of 3.07 tmc ft, releasing 3,63,438 cusecs into the sea.
The Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in East Godavari is at its full 2.93 tmc ft capacity, releasing 1,31,321 cusecs downstream.
The Yeleru reservoir in Kakinada stands at 10.98 tmc ft (45.54% of 24.11 tmc ft capacity) with 13.13 tmc ft of cushion, providing drinking and industrial water to the Godavari region.
In the Pennar system, Somasila in Nellore district is at 41.95 tmc ft (53.78%) with 36.05 tmc ft of cushion, while Kandaleru is at 26.81 tmc ft (39.41%) and has space for 41.22 tmc ft. Gandikota in Kadapa holds 20.07 tmc ft (74.76%), and Velogodu Balancing Reservoir in Nandyal is at 15.48 tmc ft (91.33%).
The officials said flood regulation was being closely coordinated, particularly in the Krishna basin, where upstream dams had minimal cushion. The Godavari system was also under watch, with the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage operating at full capacity to manage inflows without overtopping. Control rooms in the flood-prone districts remain active, and residents were being advised to stay away from swollen rivers and streams.
Compared to the previous year’s 67.29% storage on this date, the current levels are significantly higher due to monsoon flows and better retention. However, the high occupancy in Krishna projects leaves little room for absorbing fresh surges if upstream rainfall intensifies.
The government is balancing irrigation requirements, drinking water supply, and flood safety, with options under review to divert surplus water to under-filled reservoirs in other basins.