Hyderabad: Two major developments marked the ongoing Krishna river water-sharing dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Friday. While the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) directed Telangana to stop releasing water from the Srisailam reservoir for hydropower generation, the two states failed to reach a consensus on water sharing at a board meeting held earlier in the day, with each accusing the other of drawing more than its allocated share. As a result, the issue was deferred for further discussion later this month.In a letter to the Telangana govt, the KRMB said the state should adhere to the governing principles of water sharing between the two states in accordance with the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. The letter was issued following a complaint lodged by the Andhra Pradesh govt.The AP govt alleged that Telangana was releasing water from the Srisailam reservoir downstream for hydropower generation, resulting in water levels in the reservoir falling to alarming levels.In its letter, the KRMB noted that lower rainfall had been forecast this year due to El Niño conditions and stressed the need for the judicious conservation of water to safeguard drinking water requirements.In a separate development, Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy urged Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the Sammakka Sagar barrage at the earliest. The two leaders met in New Delhi and discussed inter-state issues, including backwater impacts, submergence, compensation and pending clearances.Uttam Kumar Reddy assured his Chhattisgarh counterpart that Telangana would fully compensate families whose lands and houses are affected by submergence. He said the state govt was prepared to deposit the compensation amount in advance, if required, and sought an amicable resolution that protects the interests of both states.Officials are conducting DGPS, field and LiDAR surveys to identify affected areas and assets. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the NOC is crucial for securing the remaining clearances and enabling full-capacity storage at the project.
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