The Priyadarshini Jurala reservoir in Mahabubnagar district received 0.5 TMC ft of water released from Narayanapura dam by Karnataka till Monday morning. It would be utilised for drinking water needs in the drought-hit district.
According to irrigation officials, water was released from Narayanapura dam on May 20 on Karnataka government’s direction to Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigama on May 14, in response to Telangana government’s request to release at least 3 TMC ft water for drinking needs of drought-hit Mahabubnagar district. Receipt of water was officially acknowledged by Chief Engineer T. Khagender by calling his counterpart of Narayanapura. Executive Engineer of Jurala reservoir H.T. Sridhar on Monday stated that they were expecting to receive the remaining quantity out of 1 TMC ft by Wednesday.
In a statement, Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao thanked Karnataka for responding to Telangana’s request for drinking water positively and initiating the action. He had made a formal request to Karnataka during his visit to Bengaluru on April 27 in this regard. However, according to official sources, Karnataka’s decision was delayed due to the ‘credit game’ played by leaders of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), who visited Bengaluru on May 10.
