Tensions Rise at Nagarjuna Sagar Dam Over Water Releases by AP and Telangana

Fresh tensions surfaced at the Nagarjuna Sagar dam on Wednesday after Andhra Pradesh and Telangana simultaneously began releasing water through their respective powerhouses, with both state administrations accusing each other of acting unilaterally amid an unresolved dispute over Krishna river water allocations.

The flashpoint developed after Andhra Pradesh initiated the release of 2,000 cusecs of water from the Nagarjuna Sagar powerhouse into the right main canal on Wednesday morning. Telangana irrigation officials stated that Andhra Pradesh commenced power generation at around 11 am by releasing the water without obtaining permission from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) or providing prior information to the Telangana government.

Objecting to Andhra Pradesh's unilateral operation, Telangana authorities responded by commencing power generation from the left bank powerhouse. Telangana released an equal quantum of 2,000 cusecs of water into the left canal, citing drinking water requirements for the state.

The water level in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir was recorded at 535.5 feet on Wednesday during the simultaneous power generation and water release operations. Following the confrontation at the project site, both state governments formally notified the KRMB regarding the respective developments and water drawings.

This latest confrontation at the dam follows closely on the heels of a breakdown in talks between the two neighbouring states. Just days earlier, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana failed to reach a consensus on Krishna water allocations during a meeting of the KRMB's three-member committee convened for the 2026-27 water year, which spans from June 2026 to May 2027.