BRS accuses Congress govt over AP water draw from Srisailam
The BRS accused the Congress government of allowing Andhra Pradesh to divert water from the Srisailam reservoir, highlighting planned pumping and cross-basin transfers amid El Nino concerns. The party urged rapid operation of pumps to secure at least one crop.
Key takeaways
- BRS accuses the Congress government of enabling Andhra Pradesh to divert water from Srisailam.
- Pumps at key lifts and the Jurala project were urged to be operated to safeguard a possible crop.
- AP allegedly expanded capacity of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator to shift Krishna water outside the basin.
- Srisailam's level cited as 875.8 feet, with previous reference to 854 feet when diversions began.
- AP reservoirs are claimed to hold 235 tmc ft without documented allocations or clearances.
What Happened
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) asserted that the Congress government in Telangana has permitted Andhra Pradesh to divert substantial quantities of water from the Srisailam reservoir. This stems from the reservoir's rising level, which the BRS says AP has exploited to fill projects outside the Krishna basin, affecting in-basin Telangana irrigation potential. During a press conference in Hyderabad, ex-minister S. Niranjan Reddy and other BRS leaders called for the pumps at Kalwakurthy and Palamuru-Rangareddy lifts, as well as the Jurala project pumps, to be operated so that at least one crop can be safeguarded this season. The BRS also noted that Jurala could receive up to 5,000 cusecs of regenerated water sourced from Almatti and Narayanpur in Karnataka, even if no additional releases occur there.
According to the speaker, Andhra Pradesh has diverted large quantities of water from Srisailam once the level reached 854 feet, with the current level cited as 875.8 feet. The original purpose of the Srisailam project was hydro-electric generation; later, water was allocated for drinking water to Madras (Chennai) and for irrigation for 2 lakh acres along the way. Andhra Pradesh reportedly constructed the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator first, and subsequently expanded the capacity to divert Krishna water to areas outside the Krishna basin, impacting in-basin Telangana. Reservoir construction in AP allegedly included 235 tmc ft of water-holding capacity without clear allocations or clearances.
Publication timestamp noted: August 24, 2026, 08:46 pm IST.
Why It Matters
The dispute centers on inter-state water management and irrigation security for Telangana farmers during El Niño conditions. If the claimed diversions and cross-basin transfers continue, Telangana argues it could face reduced inflows for in-basin irrigation, potentially threatening crop prospects this season. The BRS positions the issue as a governance failure linked to a neighboring state’s water use that bypasses in-basin needs and prior allocations.
Background
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh share the Krishna river system, including the Srisailam reservoir, which has historically been used for hydroelectric generation and later for municipal drinking water and irrigation projects along the route. AP has developed infrastructure such as the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator which has been expanded in capacity over time, enabling greater diversion to non-basin areas.
Key Facts
- The BRS claims Andhra Pradesh has diverted large quantities of water from Srisailam as its level rose to 875.8 feet.
- The Srisailam reservoir was constructed for hydro-electric generation and later used for drinking water supply to Madras and irrigation for 2 lakh acres along the way.
- AP allegedly built a regulator (Pothireddypadu Head Regulator) with capacity expansions to divert Krishna water outside the Krishna basin.
- AP reservoirs are claimed to have a total water-holding capacity of 235 tmc ft without water allocations or clearances.
- Jurala could receive up to 5,000 cusecs of regenerated water from Karnataka projects Almatti and Narayanpur, even if those sources do not release more water.
- Officials urged operating the Kalwakurthy, Palamuru-Rangareddy lifts, and Jurala pumps to secure an assured crop this year.
What Happens Next
The source material does not specify any scheduled or announced next steps beyond the press conference call for active pump operation to secure irrigation and the assertion of planned or ongoing cross-basin diversions. Future developments would depend on inter-state negotiations, reservoir level changes, and release schedules from Karnataka’s upstream projects.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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