Hyderabad: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao accused the Congress government of worsening the Telangana water crisis through administrative neglect rather than natural conditions. He alleged that the government allowed river water to flow downstream without operating pumps or filling reservoirs. In a social media post, KTR said the state had missed opportunities to store water for irrigation and drinking needs.
KTR claimed that more than 750 TMC of Godavari water and 250 TMC of Krishna water had flowed into the sea or downstream areas since June 1. He blamed the government for failing to conserve these supplies. These figures formed part of his allegations against the state administration.
He said effective operation of the Kannapalli and Devadula pumps could have helped fill reservoirs and tanks across the Godavari basin. However, he alleged that the government failed to use the facilities properly.
KTR also criticised the government for leaving the pumps at the Palamuru-Rangareddy and Kalwakurthy lift irrigation schemes switched off. He said the projects offered an opportunity to lift and store Krishna water. According to him, the administration ignored that option.
Telangana water crisis: KTR points to missed El Niño preparations
KTR alleged that the Congress government disregarded warnings about the possible effects of El Niño. He said weather experts had raised concerns as early as March. The government should have assessed water availability in advance and planned for agricultural and drinking water needs, he said.
He also referred to Andhra Pradesh’s use of river water. KTR claimed that the neighbouring state had diverted Godavari water through the Pattiseema project. He further alleged that Andhra Pradesh had used Krishna water through the Pothireddypadu head regulator and the Veligonda tunnel. He said the state had also supplied water to the Kuppam region.
KTR accused the Telangana government of failing to protect the state’s share of water. He argued that officials should have planned reservoir storage and pump operations before shortages intensified. His claims about water releases and government inaction remained allegations made by the BRS leader.
He urged the state government to focus immediately on project operations, water storage, and the needs of farmers and households. KTR’s criticism centred on his claim that more than 1,000 TMC of Godavari and Krishna water had flowed downstream or into the sea since June 1.