6 days ago
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh Clash Over Nagarjunasagar Water Release
Officials from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh argued about water from the Nagarjunasagar Project.
Andhra Pradesh opened its right canal first.
Telangana then opened its left canal and released 2,000 cusecs.
Both states said they needed water for drinking and irrigation tanks.
Telangana said Andhra Pradesh acted without getting approval from the Krishna River Management Board.
Reports differ on how much water Andhra Pradesh released: one said 2,000 cusecs, while another said 20,000 cusecs.
The board is expected to discuss the disagreement on September 4.
The reservoir is low, so police were sent to help prevent the argument from becoming a tense situation.
Andhra Pradesh released water through Nagarjunasagar’s right canal, while Telangana later opened its left canal.
One report said Andhra Pradesh increased its release from 500 to 2,000 cusecs; another reported 20,000 cusecs.
Telangana released 2,000 cusecs for drinking-water needs and to help fill the Peddadevulapally irrigation tank.
Officials disputed the releases, which occurred before the next Krishna River Management Board meeting on September 4.
The reservoir is nearing dead storage amid lower inflows and El Niño conditions, prompting tighter security at the dam.
- Who
- Irrigation officials and governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- What
- The states released water through Nagarjunasagar’s left and right canals and disputed whether the releases were authorized.
- Where
- The Nagarjunasagar Project in Nalgonda and the connected Krishna river water system.
- When
- Wednesday; the next Krishna River Management Board meeting is scheduled for September 4.
- Why
- Both states cited drinking-water and irrigation needs; Telangana also cited its remaining drinking-water allocation.
Telangana’s position
Andhra Pradesh’s position
Authority for releasing water
Telangana’s position
Telangana officials said Andhra Pradesh released water unilaterally, without consulting the Krishna River Management Board or informing Telangana, and said the matter would be raised at the September 4 meeting.
Andhra Pradesh’s position
The articles report that Andhra Pradesh began releasing water to meet the needs of districts in the state before the board issued new directions.
Telangana’s release
Telangana’s position
Telangana said its 2,000-cusec release was for drinking water, would help fill the Peddadevulapally irrigation tank, and used part of its unutilized allocation.
Andhra Pradesh’s position
Andhra Pradesh’s reported release was described as serving irrigation-tank filling and drinking-water needs in Guntur, Prakasam, and Krishna districts.
Water-sharing approach
Telangana’s position
Telangana proposed equal, 50:50 sharing of available Krishna water for drinking purposes and warned that excessive withdrawals could create a crisis in the state.
Andhra Pradesh’s position
The reports say Andhra Pradesh sought to use the water for drinking purposes amid El Niño conditions.
Key facts
- Andhra Pradesh release
- One report said the right-canal release rose from 500 to 2,000 cusecs; another reported 20,000 cusecs.
- Telangana release
- Telangana released 2,000 cusecs through one gate of the left canal.
- Telangana allocation
- Officials said Telangana was allocated 15.90 tmc ft for drinking water, had used about 8.5 tmc ft, and had around 7.4 tmc ft remaining.
- Andhra Pradesh allocation
- Telangana officials said Andhra Pradesh had fully used its 10 tmc ft drinking-water allocation from the previous year.
- Board meeting
- The Krishna River Management Board’s next meeting is scheduled for September 4; its August 24 meeting did not decide the allocation of available Krishna water.
- Reservoir condition
- Nagarjunasagar’s water level is nearing dead storage because of lower inflows and El Niño conditions.
- Security
- Police were deployed at Nagarjunasagar Dam to prevent a tense situation.
Quotes
Telangana irrigation officials
Officials from Telangana’s irrigation department commenting on Andhra Pradesh’s canal release.
“The release of water by AP from the right canal was a unilateral decision without consulting the Krishna Board and without informing the Telangana state. Andhra Pradesh is moving forward as if it has full rights on the utilisation of Krishan water without updating the board and Telangana state”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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