The debate over Krishna river water sharing returned to the forefront in Telangana as the state BJP objected to a reported proposal from Karnataka to raise the height of the Almatti Dam. The party warned that expanded upstream storage could constrain flows to Telangana’s projects and farms, especially in southern districts, and pressed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to pursue immediate safeguards through inter-state dialogue and central oversight. The controversy underscores the persistent sensitivity around river governance in the Krishna basin and the political stakes attached to water security in Telangana.

What’s proposed at Almatti?

  • Reports from Karnataka indicate a plan to increase the dam’s height from 519 metres to 524 metres, which would expand storage on the Krishna’s upper reaches.
  • Telangana BJP leaders say land acquisition around the reservoir has begun, signaling intent to create additional capacity.
  • They also point to a court stay on construction to raise the height and argue that any preparatory steps should be halted until legal questions are resolved.
  • The Karnataka government has not officially detailed a new height-raising timeline in the public domain; clarity is likely to depend on legal and inter-state consultations.

Potential impact on Telangana

BJP leaders argue that higher upstream storage could tighten water availability downstream, particularly during lean seasons. Areas flagged include: - Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy: rain-shadow districts where irrigation, groundwater recharge and rural livelihoods are closely tied to assured Krishna releases. - Reservoir cascade: Jurala and Srisailam depend on upstream inflows; altered storage patterns at Almatti can influence release timing for irrigation and power. - Hyderabad’s drinking water: the city draws part of its supply from Krishna-linked systems via Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam. Changes in upstream release schedules can add complexity to urban water planning, even if annual volumes are eventually balanced through coordinated operations.

While upstream reservoirs can improve flood moderation and reliability for their host states, downstream regions often seek strong operational protocols to protect seasonal needs. The current concerns in Telangana center on the predictability of releases and priority for irrigation during critical crop windows.

Legal and inter-state context

  • The Krishna basin has been governed by multiple adjudications, including the first and second Krishna Water Disputes Tribunals (KWDT). Key issues—final allocations, project clearances, and the effect of new storages—continue to be litigated or negotiated.
  • After Telangana’s formation in 2014, a temporary arrangement for sharing Krishna waters between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh gave Telangana 299 TMC pending a final decision. That interim split has been a recurring political flashpoint in the state.
  • Any modification to major storages or operating criteria typically intersects with tribunal awards, central clearances, and court directions. This makes inter-state consultation and transparent technical scrutiny essential before moving ahead with structural changes.

Political reactions in Telangana

  • The BJP in Telangana has mounted a sharp criticism of the Congress-led state government, saying it has not moved proactively to protect downstream interests vis-à-vis Karnataka.
  • The party questioned why the Chief Minister has not publicly flagged the matter with the national leadership, given that both Telangana and Karnataka currently have Congress governments.
  • The BJP also attacked the previous BRS government for accepting the interim 299 TMC arrangement, contending that it weakened Telangana’s negotiating position.
  • As of now, the Chief Minister has not issued a detailed public response on the Almatti height question; the government’s next steps will be watched for signals of a legal or diplomatic engagement.

What happens next

  • Clarity from Karnataka: An official, detailed position on whether and when any height increase would be pursued, and how it would comply with existing legal orders.
  • Telangana’s strategy: Possible moves include formal protests, seeking central intervention, technical consultations through basin-level committees, and petitions before courts or tribunals.
  • Operational safeguards: Even without structural changes, downstream states often push for rule curves, coordinated release schedules, and data-sharing protocols to protect seasonal demands.
  • Broader settlement: The pending questions before tribunals and courts remain the long-term route to a stable allocation and project framework in the Krishna basin.

Why it matters

  • Agriculture and livelihoods: Southern Telangana’s farm economy depends on reliable Krishna releases; uncertainty can ripple into crop choices, groundwater stress and rural incomes.
  • Urban water security: Hyderabad’s system relies partly on Krishna reservoirs, making inter-state coordination crucial for planning and drought resilience.
  • Governance and federalism: The episode highlights how infrastructure decisions in one state can affect another, reinforcing the need for rule-based, transparent and legally anchored river management.
  • Political accountability: Water sharing is a core public concern in Telangana; how the government articulates and defends the state’s position could shape trust and electoral narratives.