Karnataka CM responds positively to Telangana’s plea on release of water to Jurala project

Telangana Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao, Vakiti Srihari and MLAs from erstwhile Mahabubnagar district with Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar in Karnataka on Wednesday (September 23, 2026). | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Karnataka has responded positively to Telangana’s request for the release of water to the Jurala Project, Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Vakiti Srihari said on Wednesday (September 23, 2026). They stated that although Karnataka is also facing water constraints, its Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar took a sympathetic view of the difficulties faced by Telangana farmers and agreed to extend support.The ministers said they met the Karnataka Chief Minister on Tuesday and Wednesday, and explained the prevailing irrigation situation in Telangana. They briefed him on the drought-like conditions caused by El Niño, the declining water levels at the Jurala Project, and the hardships being faced by farmers in the ayacut areas of the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district due to the shortage of irrigation water.According to the ministers, Mr. Shivakumar assured them that Karnataka would release water to the Jurala Project intermittently over the next 10 days. They said the Chief Minister responded positively after understanding the difficulties of Telangana farmers and immediately spoke to Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh. He also directed officials to take immediate steps to facilitate the release of water to Jurala. Mr. Rao and Mr. Srihari expressed gratitude to the Karnataka government for its cooperation.Request on September 20The ministers said that, on the instructions of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy had written to the Karnataka Chief Minister on September 20 seeking the release of water to Jurala. They added that continuous consultations were held with the Karnataka government thereafter, resulting in a positive outcome.Efficient utilisation of available resourcesThe ministers appealed to farmers and residents in the ayacut areas served by the Jurala, Bhima, Nettempadu and Koilsagar projects not to panic. They said the State government would ensure planned and efficient utilisation of available water resources, keeping both irrigation and drinking water requirements in mind.They also announced that a meeting of ministers, MLAs and irrigation officials from the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district would be held on Thursday. The meeting will discuss strategies for optimal utilisation of available water in the Jurala, Bhima, Nettempadu and Koilsagar projects to meet irrigation and drinking water needs. Published - September 23, 2026 05:41 pm IST