Somasila Project
The Somasila Project, also known as the Somasila Reservoir, is another major irrigation project located in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a key component of water management in the region, primarily for irrigation and water supply. Below is detailed information about the Somasila Project:
Location:
District: The Somasila Reservoir is located in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
River Basin: t is constructed across the Penna River (also known as Penneru River), one of the major rivers in the region.
History & Purpose:
The Somasila Project was developed with the primary aim of providing irrigation facilities in the drought-prone areas of Nellore, Cuddapah, and Chittoor districts.
Key Statistics:
Capacity:
Full Reservoir Level (FRL): 100.58 meters.
Gross Storage Capacity: The gross storage capacity of the Somasila Reservoir is around 78 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet).
Live Storage Capacity: The live storage capacity is about 71 TMC.
Catchment Area: The catchment area of the reservoir is approximately 28,000 square kilometres.
Length and Width of Dam:The length of the dam is about 4.4 kilometres.
Drinking Water Supply:
Somasila Reservoir also provides drinking water to several towns and villages in the Nellore district.
The reservoir plays a key role in supporting water supply systems during the dry seasons.
Flood Control:
The dam helps in flood management during the monsoon, preventing potential floods by regulating the water flow from the Penna River, which often experiences seasonal flooding.
Somasila-Swarnamukhi Link Canal:
An important aspect of the Somasila Project is the Somasila-Swarnamukhi Link Canal, which is part of a larger plan to connect the Krishna and Pennar rivers.
The canal aims to divert surplus water from the Krishna River basin to the Pennar basin, enhancing water availability for irrigation and drinking purposes in the drought-prone areas of Rayalaseema and Nellore.
Somasila High-Level Canal:
Another major component of the project is the Somasila High-Level Canal. This canal is designed to bring water to higher elevation areas and supplies irrigation water to areas that were previously outside the reach of the project.
Key Projects Associated with Somasila:
Penna Delta Modernization Project: This aims at improving the irrigation systems associated with the Penna River, including modernization of canals and distributaries linked to the Somasila Reservoir.
Lift Irrigation Schemes: Several lift irrigations schemes have been proposed and implemented to help supply water to more distant or higher elevation areas from the Somasila Reservoir.
Challenges:
Siltation: Over time, silt accumulation in the reservoir has reduced its water-holding capacity, which affects the overall efficiency of the project.
Evaporation Losses: Due to its large surface area, significant amounts of water are lost to evaporation, especially during summer.
Droughts: Inconsistent rainfall and recurring droughts have led to challenges in maintaining sufficient water levels for irrigation and drinking water supply.
Importance to Andhra Pradesh:
The Somasila Project is one of the most significant irrigation schemes in the region and is essential for maintaining agricultural productivity, managing water resources, and supporting the livelihood of the people in the Penna River Basin.