Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Telangana Government Pledges Farmer Protection Amid El Niño Water Crisis
Telangana is facing a serious shortage of water.
Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government would protect farmers.
He said El Niño and problems with older irrigation projects made the situation worse.
Rain took almost 15 days to reach all 33 districts.
Officials are advising farmers to grow crops that need less water.
The government says drinking water must come before most irrigation supplies.
Many reservoirs and tanks contain much less water than they did last year.
Telangana also wants an equal share of Krishna River water instead of the current temporary arrangement.
Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana would protect farmers during the ongoing water crisis.
The government attributed the crisis to El Niño, delayed monsoon coverage, unfinished projects, construction defects, and poor water management.
Drinking water supplies will receive priority before irrigation releases, including Mission Bhagiratha and urban and rural needs.
Reservoir levels have fallen sharply, with nearly 40 percent of the state’s 44,034 tanks less than one-quarter full.
Uttam rejected the temporary 66:34 Krishna water-sharing arrangement and demanded an equal 50:50 division.
- Who
- Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, the state government, farmers, and officials from the Agriculture and Irrigation departments.
- What
- The government discussed the El Niño-related water crisis, promised support for farmers, outlined water-allocation priorities, and demanded a 50:50 Krishna water-sharing arrangement.
- When
- The assurances were made on Friday; reservoir comparisons cited levels as of Thursday.
- Where
- In the Telangana Legislative Assembly and across Telangana’s 33 districts.
- Why
- The crisis was attributed to El Niño, delayed and deficient rainfall, low reservoir levels, unfinished projects, defective construction, and poor water management.
Telangana Government Position
Responsibility and Water-Sharing Dispute
Causes of the crisis
Telangana Government Position
The current government said El Niño compounded the effects of unfinished projects, defective construction, and poor water management inherited from the previous BRS government.
Responsibility and Water-Sharing Dispute
The government also acknowledged that adverse weather conditions contributed to the crisis and said it would not use those circumstances to evade responsibility.
Dam and irrigation project responsibility
Telangana Government Position
Uttam blamed the previous government for damage to the Medigadda barrage and cited National Dam Safety Authority concerns about Annaram and Sundilla.
Responsibility and Water-Sharing Dispute
The projects require investigation, rehabilitation designs, and controlled recommissioning before restoration, according to the position presented in the Assembly.
Krishna water allocation
Telangana Government Position
Telangana rejected the temporary 66:34 sharing arrangement and demanded an equal 50:50 division through legal forums.
Responsibility and Water-Sharing Dispute
The temporary 66:34 arrangement remains the existing allocation described by the minister, who urged action to change it.
- Srisailam usable water
- 61.65 TMC, compared with 153.56 TMC a year earlier.
- Nagarjuna Sagar usable water
- 44.89 TMC, compared with 174.25 TMC a year earlier.
- Singur usable water
- 3.48 TMC, compared with 16.69 TMC a year earlier.
- Lower Manair usable water
- 8.95 TMC, compared with 21.39 TMC a year earlier.
- Tank levels
- Nearly 40 percent of 44,034 tanks were less than one-quarter full.
- Water priority
- Drinking water, Mission Bhagiratha, urban, rural, and summer needs will be met before irrigation releases.
- Krishna water demand
- Uttam called for a 50:50 division instead of the temporary 66:34 arrangement.