El Niño impact: Govt stands by farmers, says Uttam

Metro India News | Hyderabad : Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday assured farmers that the Telangana government would stand by them amid the water crisis, saying El Niño had compounded the impact of a decade of irrigation failures under the previous BRS government.

Speaking during a short-duration discussion on El Niño in the Legislative Assembly, Uttam said safeguarding drinking water, protecting standing crops and securing Telangana’s rightful share of river waters were the government’s priorities. He said the crisis reflected both adverse weather and the legacy of unfinished projects, defective construction and poor water management.

“Even if we cannot prevent El Niño, the government is preparing in advance to reduce its impact,” he said. The Agriculture and Irrigation Departments had been alerted following weather warnings, while farmers were advised on rainfall prospects, irrigation availability and suitable crops.

The southwest monsoon took nearly 15 days to cover all 33 districts, with rainfall remaining uneven. District irrigation advisory meetings and the weekly Rythu Nestham programme were being used to promote less water-intensive crops.

Uttam said reservoir storage had declined sharply. Srisailam held 61.65 TMC on September 17 against 153.56 TMC a year earlier, while Nagarjuna Sagar had 44.89 TMC against 174.25 TMC. Of 44,034 State tanks, nearly 40 per cent were less than one-quarter full.

He said drinking water would get first priority, with irrigation releases planned after securing supplies for Mission Bhagiratha and urban and rural needs. Water budgets and drinking-water security plans were being prepared, with reservoir levels reviewed every 10 days.

On Kaleshwaram, Uttam blamed the previous government for the condition of Medigadda and said safety concerns at Annaram and Sundilla required investigations, rehabilitation, approvals and a controlled restart. The government, he said, had not abandoned the system and was operating components that could be used safely.

Uttam Kumar Reddy urged BJP leaders to press the Centre to take forward Tummidihetti, stressing that securing Maharashtra’s consent was the Union government’s responsibility. He called it northern Telangana farmers’ irrigation dream and termed abandoning Pranahita–Chevella a historic mistake.

He disputed the BRS claim that Palamuru–Rangareddy was 90 per cent complete, saying pump houses and reservoirs alone could not deliver water without canals, electromechanical systems, land acquisition and clearances. On Krishna waters, he said Telangana would continue seeking a 50:50 share. “We will not surrender a single drop of water rightfully due to Telangana,” he said.