Siddipet Reservoirs at Critical Levels, Harish Rao Seeks 30 TMC

Former minister and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao has urged the Telangana government to immediately lift 30 TMC of water into reservoirs across Siddipet district, warning that inadequate storage could create serious challenges for both irrigation and drinking water supplies.

Harish Rao made the demand in a detailed letter submitted to the district Collector and the Irrigation Advisory Committee during a meeting held at the Siddipet Collectorate. He said farmers were anxiously waiting for irrigation water and stressed the need for immediate intervention to protect standing crops and strengthen water security in the district.

He expressed concern over the depleted storage levels in several reservoirs associated with the Kaleshwaram project. According to Harish Rao, the Annapurna and Ranganayaka Sagar reservoirs had reached dead-storage levels, while Komuravelli Mallanna Sagar and Kondapochamma Sagar were also facing critically low water levels.

The BRS leader called for water to be lifted immediately from Mid Manair Reservoir and used to replenish reservoirs as well as tanks, ponds and check dams across Siddipet. Apart from supporting irrigation, he said, restoring these water bodies would help improve groundwater levels, providing relief to farmers during the ongoing Vanakalam cultivation season.

Harish Rao also stressed the importance of building adequate reserves ahead of the next agricultural cycle. Referring to government projections of a possible El Niño influence until July 2027, he said the administration should start planning for potential water stress rather than wait for shortages to emerge.

He pointed out that Siddipet requires around 6–7 TMC of water for drinking purposes alone. He therefore urged officials to ensure that adequate water remains available in Mid Manair even after meeting the immediate requirement, so that the district can undertake another round of lifting during the Yasangi season.

The former minister argued that the current situation could have been avoided if water had been lifted when Godavari flows were higher. He claimed that around 35% of agricultural land in the district had remained fallow this season because of inadequate irrigation facilities.

Harish Rao said immediate pumping was necessary not only to protect crops already under cultivation but also to prevent drinking water shortages in the coming months. He called on the Irrigation and Agriculture departments to work in close coordination and ensure that water is distributed according to the requirements of farmers and local communities.