Farmers face fourth season without irrigation support from KLIS 

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme remains non-operational for the fourth season, affecting farmers across 13 districts. With Medigadda repairs delayed and no alternative plan in place, kharif sowing has dropped sharply and farmers are preparing to protest for relief

Hyderabad: Farmers under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) ayacut face a fourth season without irrigation. The Medigadda barrage, a key component of the multi-stage lift irrigation project, has remained non-functional since October 2023. An agrarian crisis looms in the ayacut, spanning 13 districts, as officials were reportedly instructed not to lift any water from Medigadda, even on a trial basis, until rehabilitation works are completed. These works are unlikely to be finished before the next crop season.

Issues in two piers of Block 7 at Medigadda prompted the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) to investigate and suspend the operations of the lift scheme. The NDSA report, submitted to the Ministry of Jal Shakti in February 2025 and subsequently to the state government, identified problems at Medigadda along with Annaram and Sundilla barrages. However, final rehabilitation plans are still not ready.

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While the Pranahita River is in spate, yielding close to seven lakh cusecs at Medigadda, the floodwater is released with all 85 gates kept open, draining every drop. But the upstream reservoirs linked to KLIS, including Sriramsagar and Yellampalli, hold water at minimum levels. Monsoon rains have failed to deliver inflows. The Upper Godavari yields no water for Telangana projects. Yellampalli, with 8.8 tmcft of water against a required 15 tmcft for drinking needs, receives only 700 cusecs of inflow. Officials note that without rains in Maharashtra, floodwater to Yellampalli remains unlikely, halting even partial KLIS operations.

Farmers in 13 districts, including Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal and Medak, face crop losses. KLIS aims to irrigate 18.26 lakh acres and stabilise an equal extent, but currently delivers no water. Kharif cultivation has dropped by nearly one-fifth in districts dependent on the project. Farmers, expecting agricultural growth, now face debts and uncertainty. Farmers are gearing up for agitational programmes seeking government action but have received no response.

Irrigation officials have reportedly proposed lifting at least one tmcft of water daily from Kanepalli pump houses without impounding water at Medigadda, but authorities rejected the plan, citing incomplete rehabilitation. Officials also suggested testing Annaram and Sundilla barrages, idle for over two years, but faced refusal. The government is firm on avoiding use of KLIS pumps until repairs are concluded. Repairs at Medigadda, estimated at Rs 500 crore, remain pending. Irrigation officials expect no repairs before the Rabi season in late 2025 or early 2026.

The Congress government, in power since December 2023, faces criticism.

Opposition BRS leaders, including former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, say KLIS irrigated 20.33 lakh acres cumulatively before facing structural issues. They argue the government has failed to act. Water from Yellampalli’s Nandimedaram pump house saved crops under several reservoirs last year, but low inflows limit its role this year.

• Medigadda barrage, part of KLIS, has remained non-functional since October 2023.
• No scope for full-fledged rehabilitation works until the end of December 2025.
• Water flows at close to seven lakh cusecs through Medigadda, but not a drop can be lifted.
• Upstream reservoirs, including Sriramsagar and Yellampalli, are left with poor storage levels
• Officials instructed not to lift water from Kannepalli pump houses, even on a trial basis