TG may seek Krishna Water from Karnataka: Uttam

metro india news  I hyderabad

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday sounded a strong warning over the possible impact of an intense El Niño on Telangana's water resources, directing officials to prioritise drinking water over irrigation until next June if rainfall remains deficient. He said the State could approach Karnataka for emergency releases from the Krishna River if the drinking water situation becomes critical.

Chairing a comprehensive review meeting in the erstwhile Nalgonda district, Uttam Kumar Reddy assessed drought preparedness, reservoir levels, irrigation, agriculture, groundwater, electricity supply and Mission Bhagiratha infrastructure. Ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Adluri Lakshman, public representatives and senior officials attended the meeting.

The Minister said experts had indicated the possibility of a strong El Niño event, which could weaken the monsoon. If rainfall does not improve during the remaining monsoon months, Telangana would have to carefully conserve available water until next July, with drinking water receiving the highest priority.

Advising farmers against taking up paddy cultivation in areas without assured irrigation or groundwater, Uttam Kumar Reddy urged them to opt for less water intensive crops such as green gram, sesame and vegetables. He instructed agriculture officials to intensify field visits and provide crop specific guidance based on local water availability.

Reviewing reservoir conditions, the Minister directed officials to issue alerts at least 20 to 25 days before key drinking water sources reach critical levels, enabling the government to arrange alternative supplies or seek emergency assistance. Gram panchayats were asked to keep tankers and borewells ready, while Mission Bhagiratha agencies were directed to promptly address leakages and infrastructure issues.

The Minister also noted that irrigation water from Nagarjuna Sagar could not be assured under the prevailing conditions and stressed that protecting drinking water and preventing crop losses would remain the government's foremost priorities.

'Medigadda testing nears end, Rehab design next'

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said scientific investigations into the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages were nearing completion and rehabilitation designs were now being prepared for the safe restoration of the Kaleshwaram project. Addressing MLAs, MLCs and officials from Nalgonda, Suryapet and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts, he said premier institutions, including CWPRS and NGRI, had completed extensive studies on the barrages' foundations and structures.

The findings have been submitted to IIT Bombay for preparation of detailed repair designs. Uttam said rehabilitation works would begin only after approvals from the National Dam Safety Authority, Central Water Commission and the Union Government's Technical Oversight Committee. He reiterated that the barrages would not be operated until rehabilitation was completed and experts certified them safe.