Based on the anticipated availability and El Nino forecasts, the government has decided to reserve reservoir storage mainly for drinking water requirements. He announced that 13 TMC of water would be released from Thursday for reservoirs under Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project and 10 TMC for reservoirs under Pothireddypadu Head Regulator to meet drinking water needs in Rayalaseema. He also said 10 TMC of water would be released through Telugu Ganga project to meet Chennai city’s drinking water requirements. In addition, about 32 TMC of water would be required to meet drinking water needs in the command areas of the Nagarjuna Sagar Right and Left canals, he said. He directed collectors and officials of the irrigation, revenue and agriculture departments to work in close coordination to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply across the State.