AP seeks 47 TMC of Krishna water as poor monsoon inflows and El Niño conditions create uncertainty over water availability
VIJAYAWADA / KRISHNA DISTRICT | August 25, 2026
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🌊 Water availability becomes a major concern
The availability of Krishna River water has become an important concern for farmers in the Krishna Delta and other areas dependent on the Krishna irrigation system. The Andhra Pradesh government has sought permission from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to use 47 TMC of Krishna water from the common reservoirs of Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar to meet essential requirements until October 31.
The request comes amid poor monsoon inflows and concerns about below-normal rainfall during the remaining part of the water year. The government has also cited the possible impact of El Niño conditions on future water availability.
💧 AP requests 47 TMC
According to the Andhra Pradesh government’s proposal, the requested 47 TMC would be divided as:
- 33 TMC from Srisailam
- 14 TMC from Nagarjuna Sagar
- Total: 47 TMC
The state says the water is needed primarily to meet drinking-water requirements through October 31. AP has also indicated that additional requirements could arise after October depending on rainfall and reservoir inflows.
⚠️ KRMB postpones decision
The issue became more complicated during the latest Krishna River Management Board meeting.
The three-member KRMB committee did not reach a final decision on the utilisation of water from Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar. The matter has now been scheduled for another meeting on September 4, 2026.
Telangana has proposed that drinking-water releases be handled on a 50:50 basis, while Andhra Pradesh has requested the additional 47 TMC for its requirements. The two states therefore remain divided over how the available water should be utilised.
🌾 Why Krishna farmers are concerned
The Krishna Delta is one of Andhra Pradesh’s important agricultural regions, with a large area dependent on canal irrigation.
Earlier in the Kharif season, the government released 3,200 cusecs of water from the Prakasam Barrage into the eastern canal system to support cultivation in the Krishna Delta. Officials said the irrigation system serves about 13.08 lakh acres and nearly 30 lakh farmers across the delta ayacut.
Therefore, uncertainty over future Krishna River inflows and reservoir storage is significant for farmers planning irrigation and crop operations.
🌱 Pressure on paddy cultivation
The water situation is also linked to the ongoing discussion about paddy cultivation in the Krishna Delta.
With water availability uncertain, authorities have previously advised farmers in parts of the Krishna Delta to consider irrigated-dry crops instead of water-intensive paddy, particularly where assured irrigation is not available.
For farmers, the decision involves balancing crop profitability with the availability of reliable irrigation water.
🚰 Drinking water given priority
The latest KRMB discussions indicate that drinking-water requirements are being given priority because of uncertainty over future inflows.
The KRMB committee decided to consider the available water carefully in light of the El Niño situation and expected water requirements before allowing additional utilisation.
This means irrigation releases could face greater scrutiny if reservoir inflows remain below expectations.
🏞️ Pattiseema could provide support
Another important factor for the Krishna Delta is the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, which transfers Godavari water towards the Krishna basin.
Seasonal pumping operations have begun this year, and the transferred water can provide support to the Krishna Delta when Krishna River inflows are limited.
📅 What happens next?
The immediate next step is the KRMB meeting scheduled for September 4, 2026.
The board is expected to examine:
- Available water in Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar
- Drinking-water requirements
- Andhra Pradesh’s request for 47 TMC
- Telangana’s position on water sharing
- Expected future monsoon inflows
- Requirements after October 31
Until the board reaches a decision, uncertainty over the additional water requested by Andhra Pradesh will continue.