Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Uttam Blames BRS Failures, El Niño for Telangana Water Scarcity
Telangana is facing a shortage of water.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said El Niño reduced rainfall and water availability.
He also blamed the previous BRS government for not finishing important irrigation projects.
He said about Rs 1.81 lakh crore was spent, but the projects did not provide enough irrigation benefits.
Uttam said this made the state more vulnerable to water stress.
The government has told farmers to choose crops that need less uncertain water supplies.
He criticized former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s plan to organize people around the Kaleshwaram project.
Uttam also said Telangana is defending its water rights before tribunals and river management boards.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy attributed Telangana’s water scarcity to El Niño and previous irrigation failures.
He said the former BRS government spent about Rs 1.81 lakh crore without completing key projects.
Uttam named the Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu, Koilsagar, Bheema and SLBC tunnel projects as incomplete.
He said the government advised farmers to consider alternative crops where water availability was uncertain.
Uttam defended Telangana’s pursuit of Krishna and Godavari water rights and criticized KCR’s proposed Kaleshwaram mobilisation.
- Who
- Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Congress government, the previous BRS government and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.
- What
- Uttam attributed Telangana’s water scarcity to El Niño and incomplete or ineffective irrigation projects under the previous government.
- When
- Monday, during an informal interaction with reporters.
- Where
- At the Telangana Assembly in Hyderabad.
- Why
- He said reduced rainfall and failures to complete key irrigation projects had left Telangana more vulnerable to water stress.
Congress Government’s Position
BRS-Linked Claims
Cause of water scarcity
Congress Government’s Position
N. Uttam Kumar Reddy blamed El Niño and the previous BRS government’s failure to complete key irrigation projects.
BRS-Linked Claims
The article does not provide a direct BRS response to Uttam’s explanation.
Telangana’s water interests
Congress Government’s Position
Uttam said Telangana’s Krishna and Godavari water rights were being vigorously pursued before tribunals and river management boards.
BRS-Linked Claims
The BRS has alleged that the Congress government is acting in the interests of Andhra Pradesh.
Kaleshwaram accountability
Congress Government’s Position
Uttam criticized the previous government over the condition of the Kaleshwaram project’s barrages and questioned the purpose of KCR’s proposed mobilisation.
BRS-Linked Claims
KCR has proposed mass mobilisation over the Kaleshwaram issue, though the article does not state his detailed response to Uttam’s criticism.
- State affected
- Telangana
- Stated climate factor
- El Niño
- Expenditure cited
- About Rs 1.81 lakh crore
- Projects mentioned
- Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu, Koilsagar, Bheema and the SLBC tunnel
- Government advice
- Farmers were advised to consider alternative crops where water availability was uncertain.
- Water disputes
- Telangana is pursuing its Krishna and Godavari water rights before tribunals and river management boards.
- Political issue
- K. Chandrashekar Rao has proposed mass mobilisation over the Kaleshwaram issue.