Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Telangana Irrigation Tanks Run Low as Water Stress Looms
Many small irrigation tanks in Telangana have very little water.
The irrigation department monitors 21,500 of these tanks.
On October 3, more than 17,000 had less than half their usual storage.
Nearly 13,000 had no water or less than a quarter of their usual amount.
Together, the monitored tanks held 94.30 tmcft, though they can hold 253.80 tmcft.
Rain is not expected to add much water soon because forecasts point to below-normal rainfall.
Officials also expect groundwater levels to drop in some districts.
This could make water harder to find for people and farming.
As of October 3, 17,677 of 21,500 monitored minor irrigation tanks held less than half their normal storage.
A total of 12,944 tanks had no water or less than 25% of normal storage.
The monitored tanks held 94.30 tmcft, against a combined capacity of 253.80 tmcft.
Officials expect little replenishment, with below-normal post-monsoon rainfall forecast for Telangana.
The agriculture department expects groundwater levels to fall by up to six metres or more in some districts.
- Who
- Telangana’s irrigation department and rural communities dependent on minor irrigation tanks.
- What
- Water storage in many monitored minor irrigation tanks is low, raising concerns about water stress.
- When
- Storage figures are as of October 3; officials warned of concerns in the coming weeks.
- Where
- Telangana, India.
- Why
- Tank storage is low, and below-normal rainfall is forecast for the rest of the year; groundwater extraction is also expected to put pressure on levels.
- Monitored minor irrigation tanks
- 21,500
- Tanks below 50% storage
- 17,677
- Tanks with no water or below 25% storage
- 12,944
- Combined tank capacity
- 253.80 tmcft
- Current combined storage
- 94.30 tmcft
- All tanks cited by the irrigation minister
- 44,034; 40% were reported to have less than a quarter of normal storage.
- Groundwater outlook
- The agriculture department expects levels to fall by up to six metres or more in some districts.