Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Rayalaseema Farmers Seek Water as Crops Face Withering Risk
Farmers in Rayalaseema say their crops may dry up because canal water is limited.
More than one lakh acres could be affected.
Officials are giving much of the available water to drinking-water projects.
Farmers say some areas in Karnataka are still receiving water for irrigation.
The Tungabhadra dam had 95 tmc ft of water on Wednesday.
Authorities said more water would be released only if heavy upstream rain occurred.
Farmers also want water released directly into smaller canals to save their crops.
Local political leaders have asked the government to review supplies and seek additional water.
More than one lakh acres of crops under the Tungabhadra canals are reportedly at risk.
Water supplies are being prioritised for drinking projects serving towns across Rayalaseema.
Farmers allege that adjoining Karnataka areas are using canal water for irrigation.
The Tungabhadra dam held 95 tmc ft against its 105-tmc-ft capacity on Wednesday.
Farmers and political leaders urged authorities to release water and convene an advisory meeting.
- Who
- Farmers dependent on the Tungabhadra High Level Main Canal, Low Level Canal and Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project; local political leaders and irrigation authorities.
- What
- A water shortage is threatening standing crops and chilli nurseries in Rayalaseema.
- When
- The crisis was reported on Wednesday, when the Tungabhadra dam's storage and flows were cited.
- Where
- Rayalaseema, including areas of Anantapur and Kurnool districts, served by the Tungabhadra and Handri Neeva canals.
- Why
- Available supplies have been prioritised for drinking water, while farmers say irrigation releases are insufficient.
Farmers and Local Critics
Authorities and Drinking-Water Priorities
How available water should be used
Farmers and Local Critics
Farmers and local leaders want releases for standing crops, saying more than one lakh acres could wither and farmers could suffer heavy losses.
Authorities and Drinking-Water Priorities
The Tungabhadra Board has prioritised around 20 tmc ft for drinking-water projects serving several towns and cities.
Water use in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
Farmers and Local Critics
Farmers allege that irrigation is continuing in adjoining Karnataka while supplies to parts of Andhra Pradesh have been restricted to drinking water.
Authorities and Drinking-Water Priorities
The article reports the allocation and restrictions but does not provide a response from Karnataka authorities to the allegation.
Additional water releases
Farmers and Local Critics
Rayalaseema leaders are urging the government to press the Tungabhadra Board for additional water and to convene an Irrigation Advisory Board meeting.
Authorities and Drinking-Water Priorities
Dam authorities said additional water would be released only if heavy rains occurred in upstream areas of the Western Ghats.
- Tungabhadra dam storage
- 95 tmc ft on Wednesday
- Full storage capacity
- 105 tmc ft
- Reportedly affected cropland
- More than one lakh acres under the Tungabhadra High Level Main Canal and Low Level Canal
- Dam inflows and outflows
- 8,239 cusecs
- Drinking-water allocation
- Around 20 tmc ft was allocated for drinking-water projects
- Potential additional release
- Tungabhadra authorities said it would depend on heavy rain upstream in the Western Ghats
- Affected crops
- Standing crops and chilli nurseries for the coming season