Caution Needed in Water Usage: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Amid the possibility of an El Nino impact, Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to use every available drop of water judiciously and according to a clear plan. He stressed that drinking water must be given top priority and that water allocations should be based on currently available storage rather than depending on forecasts of future rains or floods. During a review meeting on irrigation projects, agriculture and drinking water at Jalasoudha in Hyderabad, officials informed the minister that water availability stood at 76.63% in Krishna basin projects and 68.1% in Godavari basin projects.

The minister asked officials to assess the irrigation requirements of Suryapet and Khammam districts based on the storage levels in Nagarjuna Sagar. He also sought steps to avoid delays in filling the Vaira Reservoir with Godavari water. Water storage levels in projects including Devadula, Nizam Sagar, Swarna, Sadarmat, Ramadugu, Buggalavagu, Ramapalli, Palemvagu, Pocharam and Rajiv Sagar should be assessed before deciding on irrigation releases, he said. He also directed officials to consider Musi waters, prioritize the safety of the Singur project, consult IIT experts on the Polavaram submergence issue and prepare a report on inter-state water disputes.