Water Fails to Reach RDS..Leaving Telangana Farmers Worried

Farmers in Telangana are expressing concern that Karnataka farmers are allegedly diverting water meant for Telangana from the Tungabhadra system. This year, the RDS (Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme) project has reportedly received inadequate natural inflows, with the impact attributed in the report to El Niño conditions. As a result, much of Telangana’s allocated share of 3 TMC of water is allegedly not reaching the RDS barrage. Even five days after water release began, the flow downstream has remained below expectations, raising fears of crop damage.

Rice cultivation under the RDS ayacut has been declared a crop holiday this year, prompting farmers to grow alternative crops such as cotton and chilli. Chilli crops are now at a stage when regular irrigation is particularly important. Farmers say that receiving at least half of Telangana’s allocated 3 TMC in time could help protect their crops. They are urging the authorities to ensure that the state receives its designated water share and that the flow reaches the RDS ayacut without further delay.