Nagarjuna Sagar tensions rise as AP, Telangana release water into canals

Tensions flared at the Nagarjuna Sagar project on Wednesday, August 27, after Andhra Pradesh irrigation officials allegedly released around 2,000 cusecs of water into the right canal without showing Telangana counterparts an authorisation from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB).

The incident reportedly led to a confrontation between officials of the two states, with Telangana irrigation personnel alleging that they were physically assaulted when they sought to stop the release in the absence of a copy of the KRMB order. Police were subsequently deployed at the project as a precautionary measure.

According to officials, Andhra Pradesh irrigation personnel reached the project, which is under Telangana's control, on Wednesday morning without informing their counterparts and began releasing water into the right canal, citing drinking water requirements.

The AP officials are learnt to have told their Telangana counterparts that around 10 TMCft of water would be released for drinking purposes. Telangana officials, however, sought a copy of the KRMB authorisation for the release.

While the Telangana officials said they did not receive the order and attempted to prevent the release, the AP personnel allegedly pushed them away and assaulted them. The Andhra officials reportedly maintained that they had directions from the KRMB to release the water.

The dispute comes as Telangana manages the Nagarjuna Sagar project and maintains records of its storage, inflows and releases into various canals. The project is also an important source of drinking water for Hyderabad and is used for power generation.

Following the release into the right canal, Telangana officials released 500 cusecs into the left canal, also citing drinking water requirements. Officials said water releases into both canals were continuing.

Police personnel were deployed at the project to prevent any further escalation between officials of the two states.

The latest confrontation comes days after a KRMB meeting in Hyderabad, where irrigation officials from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh discussed water releases to meet drinking water requirements. However, a three-member committee of officials from the two states deferred a decision on water utilisation from the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar projects.

The meeting was postponed to September 4 to discuss drinking water requirements and likely water availability in the coming period.

Water-sharing disputes between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over releases from Nagarjuna Sagar have surfaced several times in the past. Telangana officials said they would lodge a complaint with the KRMB over Wednesday's incident.