In response to reports of farmer protests near the Malyala Pump House in Nandyal district over alleged water shortage, the Water Resources Department officials have clarified that the farmers have to follow the Irrigation Advisory Board (IAB) guidelines.
In a release on Friday, the authorities stressed that claims of sudden stoppage of water were unfounded. Water-lifting from the Srisailam project, via Mutchumarru and Malyala pump houses, required prior permission from the KRMB, making unauthorised releases technically and legally impossible.
The WRD officials said the IAB, in its meeting on December 2, 2025, reviewed water storage levels, project operations, and availability for the upcoming rabi season. It was decided that the water supply in the KC Canal would not be available after January 15, 2026, and that rabi cultivation should not be undertaken along the stretch from 0 to 150 km of the canal. These decisions were communicated in advance to public representatives and farmers, the officials added.
Limited water release from the Tungabhadra dam due to essential gate maintenance resulted in a significant reduction in available water. Officials emphasised that the KC Canal’s water supply had already supported the kharif crop successfully, ensuring farmers benefited from irrigation during that season. The government reiterated its commitment to farmer welfare, while urging understanding of the current technical and administrative constraints.
Published – January 23, 2026 08:35 pm IST
