"krishna-basin"

Heavy rainfall in Maharashtra and Karnataka has increased inflows into the Priyadarshini Jurala Project, easing Telangana's drinking water concerns. The rising flows have boosted irrigation, revived hydropower generation and are expected to improve water availability at the Srisailam reservoir during Kharif.

Telangana is likely to receive nearly 25 per cent below-normal seasonal rainfall, according to the ECMWF outlook. With utilisable storage in Krishna and Godavari reservoirs at critically low levels, available water is expected to be sufficient mainly for drinking unless monsoon inflows improve.

BRS leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress of historically betraying Telangana’s river water rights, alleging the Revanth Reddy government restored an unfair Krishna water-sharing formula and surrendered the State’s interests to Andhra Pradesh and the Centre.

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy assured the Assembly that the Congress government would complete all pending Krishna basin irrigation projects within three years.

The Godavari–Cauvery river interlinking project is facing stiff resistance from riparian states, particularly Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, over concerns of water diversion from Chhattisgarh’s allocation. Meanwhile, Telangana has softened its stance by agreeing to Inchampalli as the diversion point.

Reservoirs in Telangana’s Krishna basin, including Srisailam, Jurala, and Nagarjuna Sagar, are operating at full capacity amid heavy inflows, releasing significant volumes downstream. In contrast, reservoirs in the Godavari basin remain dry, though tributaries like Pranahita and Medigadda Barrage report substantial flow.

All three zones of the canal system in Telangana are irrigating around 6.3 lakh acres primarily for paddy cultivation. It forms the backbone of the NSLC ayacut, with 70% of the total area, approximately 7.2 lakh acres, dedicated to rice during the Kharif season.

Currently, the Srisailam project holds 160 TMC of water against its gross storage capacity of 215 TMC, leaving a flood cushion of approximately 55 TMC

Accuses Congress, BJP of ignoring AP’s Rs 80,000-cr Godavari-Banakacherla project; says it threatens Telangana’s water security; urges immediate State action; vows a legal and public fight if the government fails to act

As part of the ongoing proceedings of the Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal-II, Telangana's legal team, led by Senior Counsel Mr. C S Vaidyanathan on Thursday strongly argued for the reallocation of water resources

Viability of lift schemes explained in detail, stressing that these can support irrigation for at least a single crop

The project is estimated to cost over Rs 80,000 crore; aims to divert water from Godavari to Rayalaseema region in Krishna basin

The authorities in Telangana are strongly opposing the situation. During the September 2024 floods, Andhra Pradesh received a significant portion of inflows into the Srisailam project, with the Pothireddypadu head regulator accounting for over 110 TMC. Andhra Pradesh's ample storage facilities enable it to begin irrigation schedules early, using water beyond the Krishna basin.

Efforts made for restoration of the CCTV camera network on the 13 gates of the AP stretch of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam thwarted

Niranjan Reddy criticized Revanth Reddy for lowering the dignity of the Chief Minister's office by constantly attacking BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao

Irrigation authorities in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are taking precautionary measures to handle the increasing flood flow by scaling up discharges at key projects

According to irrigation officials, more of its gates will be opened by evening, increasing the volume of discharges

Giving in to mounting pressure from farmers in its ayacut, pumping operations were resumed drawing water from the Yellampalli reservoir, instead of Medigadda to feed multiple reservoirs that are part of the KLIP network.

As far as the Krishna basin projects are concerned, the worst is over and the inflows being received for the last one week are holding out hope for a normal year, irrigation officials said.

The Krishna catchment in Maharashtra and Karnataka continued to receive heavy rains and the inflows into the Upper Krishna projects right from Almatti remained on the rise.