Hyderabad: The Srisailam Dam, a critical lifeline for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and drinking water supply in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, is facing alarming neglect.
Telangana raised an urgent call in February, drawing the attention of the Ministry of Jal Shakti to the deteriorating state of the dam. Experts warn that any untoward incident at Srisailam could have a cascading effect on the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, one of the largest masonry dams in the world, amplifying the potential disaster.
The Srisailam Dam, constructed in 1981 across the Krishna River, has been a cornerstone of flood management and water distribution. However, the unprecedented floods of 2009, which saw a discharge of approximately 25 lakh cusecs against the dam’s designed capacity of 14 lakh cusecs, had severe impact on its structure.
The plunge pool area downstream of the spillway suffered significant scouring, creating a large void that continues to raise concerns about the dam’s stability. The impact of these floods is still under analysis, but the neglect of necessary repairs is being viewed as criminal by many experts and stakeholders.
The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) Chairman, Sunil Jain, recently visited the site and was confronted with the grim realities of the dam’s condition. He emphasized the urgency of immediate repairs, warning that delays could jeopardize not only the Srisailam Dam but also downstream infrastructures like the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
The government of Andhra Pradesh has been urged to act swiftly. The stakes are high, and the neglect of this vital infrastructure could lead to catastrophic consequences for millions who depend on it.
