Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana will prioritise drinking water over irrigation until June next year amid deficient rainfall. Farmers have been advised to avoid water-intensive crops, while the Kaleshwaram barrages will remain non-operational pending scientific clearance.
The Telangana government has issued an EOI for the rehabilitation of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages under KLIP, two years after the Medigadda piers sagged. Farmers remain sceptical, citing delays, crop losses, and water scarcity amid political concerns ahead of local body polls.
The Southwest monsoon has also advanced up to South Bay of Bengal. If the inflows into the KLIP barrages are heavy, there will be no scope to carry any sort of works this year.
Quoting reports received from the Irrigation Department, the Committee said 77 out of 85 radial gates in Medigadda Barrage have been successfully lifted.
Irrigation department officials deny seepage reports at Annaram (Saraswati) barrage of KLIS, asserting its robust design and construction with proper materials and techniques to withstand potential threats.
