Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Telangana Seeks Karnataka Krishna Water to Protect Standing Crops
Farmers in southern Telangana say their crops do not have enough water.
Telangana leaders asked Karnataka to send water from the Krishna River.
They requested 5,000 cusecs for one month to help crops on about 5.5 lakh acres.
The main projects mentioned are Jurala, Bhima, Nettempadu and Koilsagar.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded positively to the request.
One report said Karnataka may provide water to Jurala for 10 days at intervals, but the total amount has not been confirmed.
Other officials said they would examine how much water was available.
Telangana also said the water must be managed carefully so drinking-water supplies are protected.
Telangana asked Karnataka to release Krishna River water from the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs for irrigation.
The state requested 5,000 cusecs continuously for one month, equivalent to about 13 tmc ft.
The water would support standing crops across about 5.5 lakh acres under the Jurala, Bhima, Nettempadu and Koilsagar projects.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar responded positively, but reports differed over whether officials were still assessing availability and how much water would be released.
Telangana said the request followed farmer protests and warned that shortages could harm crop yields, incomes and livelihoods.
- Who
- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, ministers and MLAs requested help from Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
- What
- Telangana sought a release of 5,000 cusecs of Krishna River water for one month to protect standing crops.
- When
- The request was discussed on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Telangana delegations meeting Shivakumar in Bengaluru on both days.
- Where
- The request was made in Bengaluru for irrigation areas in southern Telangana, particularly the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district.
- Why
- Telangana said severe water shortages were stressing crops and threatening farmers’ incomes and livelihoods.
Telangana Government’s Position
Opposition Parties’ Position
Responsibility for the water crisis
Telangana Government’s Position
The Congress-led Telangana government says it is taking every possible step to protect standing crops while safeguarding drinking-water supplies. It also says incomplete irrigation projects under the previous BRS government contributed to the crisis.
Opposition Parties’ Position
The BRS and BJP accuse the Telangana government of deliberately neglecting farmers and have supported protests demanding water releases.
Immediate water response
Telangana Government’s Position
Telangana officials say Karnataka should release water in a regulated manner to help crops while considering reservoir availability and future drinking-water needs.
Opposition Parties’ Position
Farmers and opposition parties have demanded immediate water releases, with protests reported in the Jurala command area.
- Requested flow
- 5,000 cusecs of Krishna River water
- Requested duration
- One month continuously
- Estimated volume
- About 13 tmc ft
- Affected cropland
- Approximately 5.5 lakh acres
- Irrigation projects
- Jurala, Bhima, Nettempadu and Koilsagar
- Requested sources
- Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs, with particular emphasis on Narayanpur in some accounts
- Karnataka response
- Shivakumar responded positively and directed officials to take steps, but the final quantity and release schedule remained unclear
- Water-management concern
- Telangana said irrigation releases must be regulated to preserve drinking-water reserves during continuing dry conditions
