The Mylavaram reservoir constructed with a capacity of 9.5 tmc ft to provide irrigation water to 75,000 acres in Kadapa district is drying up. Everyday, 25 cusecs of water is being supplied from the reservoir to the Rayalaseema thermal power plant (RTPP) for power generation. Pipelines works are also being taken up to provide water to the Bramhani Steel Plant being established in Jammalamadugu constituency from the reservoir. The RTPP is likely to face problems due to depleting water levels in the reservoir. The Mylavaram reservoir, constructed in 1971, was filled only four times so far. It was filled this year due to rains in its upper catchment areas. However, officials released water wastefully from the reservoir, saying that it would affect construction works of the Gandikota reservoir being built on the upper areas of the Mylavaram reservoir. The Mylavaram reservoir divisional engineer, Mr Ramakrishna, said that at present 1.087 tmc ft of water was stored in the reservoir. Two cusecs of water per day was flowing waste due to leakage in the right canal. At present, water is being pumped through a pipeline from the reservoir to the RTPP. Water sufficient to cater to the needs of the RTPP for one month is stored in the reservoir. After this period, power generation will be affected. Meanwhile, the RTPP officials say that there is no water shortage at present, adding that they were focusing on alternative ways to solve the problem. They said that pipeline works were being taken up from Brahmamsagar to the power project for a distance of 72 km. The works were allocated to the IVRCL company. Officials expect the works to be completed by the end of 2008.