AP’s water release triggers fresh standoff at Nagarjuna Sagar dam | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Fresh tensions surfaced at the Nagarjuna Sagar dam on Wednesday after Andhra Pradesh and Telangana simultaneously began releasing water through their respective powerhouses, with each state accusing the other of acting unilaterally amid an unresolved dispute over Krishna river water allocations.The flashpoint emerged after Andhra Pradesh released 2,000 cusecs of water from the Nagarjuna Sagar powerhouse into the right main canal on Wednesday morning. In response, Telangana released 2,000 cusecs from its powerhouse into the left canal, citing drinking water requirements.Telangana irrigation officials said Andhra Pradesh began power generation at around 11 am by releasing 2,000 cusecs of water without obtaining permission from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) or informing the Telangana govt. The water level in the reservoir stood at 535.5 feet on Wednesday.Objecting to Andhra Pradesh’s move, Telangana officials also commenced power generation from the left bank powerhouse and released an equal quantum of water. Both state govts informed the KRMB about the development.The latest confrontation comes just days after the two states failed to reach a consensus on Krishna water allocations during a meeting of the KRMB’s three-member committee for the 2026-27 water year (June 2026 to May 2027).While Telangana sought 112 tmcft of water for the entire water year, Andhra Pradesh requested 47 tmcft till the end of Oct for drinking water needs. Telangana made a similar demand and alleged that Andhra Pradesh had consistently utilised Krishna waters more than its allocation.This is not the first time Nagarjuna Sagar has become a flashpoint between the two states. In Nov 2023, tensions escalated and central forces were deployed after Andhra Pradesh irrigation officials attempted to take over operational control of the dam on the eve of the Telangana assembly elections. Subsequently, the KRMB defined the jurisdiction and operational control of the respective portions of the dam.There have also been several instances in the past when the two states initiated power generation at Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam and Pulichintala projects amid disputes over water sharing.Following Andhra Pradesh’s decision to begin power generation and water release, Telangana irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and chief minister A Revanth Reddy reviewed the situation with officials and decided not to compromise on the issue.Meanwhile, former irrigation minister T Harish Rao condemned the Andhra Pradesh govt‘s action, and said Telangana’s interests were being affected due to the state govt‘s inefficiency. He alleged that Andhra Pradesh was drawing more water without informing the KRMB.
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