Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Telangana Farmers Told to Plant Only With Own Water
Telangana officials say farmers should plant crops in the coming Rabi season only if they have their own water.
The season is expected to begin in November.
The government says it needs to save reservoir water for people to drink.
Officials say farmers should not plant paddy because it needs water that the state cannot provide this time.
In the current Kharif season, however, water was released from reservoirs for crops in some cases.
The article says political pressure and government instructions contributed to some releases.
One project, Sriramsagar, was reported to be releasing water for paddy farmers in Jagtial district.
Last Yasangi, paddy made up most of the reported cropped area.
Telangana officials say no reservoir irrigation will be provided during the Rabi, or Yasangi, season beginning in November.
Farmers are advised to plant only if they have their own water sources; officials specifically warn against planting paddy.
Officials say stored water must be conserved for drinking-water needs in the coming months, with a stated priority of supplying needs through August 2027.
Despite earlier restrictions, officials say irrigation water was released during the current Kharif season after pressure from elected representatives and government instructions.
The Sriramsagar project was reported to be releasing 6,400 cusecs for nine days; its storage was 45.37 tmc ft, including about 5 tmc ft in dead storage.
- Who
- Irrigation department officials and farmers in Telangana; Minister Adluri Laxman reported on releases from the Sriramsagar project.
- What
- Officials say farmers should plant Rabi crops only if they have their own water, and should not plant paddy.
- When
- The Rabi (Yasangi) season is due to begin in November; the Sriramsagar release was reported on Sunday.
- Where
- Telangana, including the Sriramsagar project and Jagtial district.
- Why
- Officials say reservoir water must be conserved for drinking-water needs in the months ahead.
Water Conservation
Crop Irrigation
Reservoir water use
Water Conservation
Irrigation officials say reservoir water should be reserved for drinking needs and that Rabi irrigation requests will not be entertained.
Crop Irrigation
The article reports that farmers' crop-water needs were met where possible during Kharif, and that the Sriramsagar project was releasing water for paddy farmers in Jagtial.
Government policy in practice
Water Conservation
Officials' stated policy is to conserve water and allow Rabi planting only when farmers have their own sources.
Crop Irrigation
The article says the government previously shifted to allowing crop releases where possible, following pressure from MLAs and ministers and government instructions.
- Season
- Rabi (Yasangi), officially beginning in November
- Irrigation guidance
- No reservoir irrigation is planned for Rabi; farmers are told to rely on their own water sources.
- Paddy guidance
- Officials say farmers should not plant paddy this season.
- Drinking-water priority
- Officials say water should be saved to meet drinking-water needs through August 2027.
- Sriramsagar release
- 6,400 cusecs for nine days, as reported by Minister Adluri Laxman.
- Sriramsagar storage
- 45.37 tmc ft on the reported Sunday, including about 5 tmc ft in dead storage.
- Previous Yasangi crop area
- Last year, operations covered 92,17,352 acres; paddy accounted for 65,42,155 acres.