Most of the area under Godavari ayacut will be irrigated without water from the Kaleshwaram project during the current Rabi and upcoming Kharif farming seasons in the state. This decision was made due to safety concerns at the Medigadda barrage, where piers recently sank, sparking a major political issue. The state government has also ordered a thorough probe into alleged irregularities in the project work.
The Irrigation department is now arranging for water supply from SRSP (Sriram Sagar Project) to the Godavari ayacut for the upcoming farming season, as was done before the construction of the Kaleshwaram project. Officials are monitoring water availability in the SRSP daily to release flood water to Mid Manair and upper Manair dams for irrigation needs in old Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Warangal districts under the Godavari ayacut.
Due to the Medigadda crisis, the government is avoiding reliance on Kaleshwaram for irrigation to prevent a larger disaster. With the Medigadda barrage not functioning properly, the government must turn to SRSP for irrigation water. The government had previously claimed that Kaleshwaram project provided water for 20 lakh acres, but official statistics show only one lakh acres of ayacut was created.
If the state receives ample rainfall this monsoon, SRSP flood flow canal will provide water resources to fill Yellampalli, Upper and Mid Manair projects. Water currently in these projects will be released for Rabi crops in the next two months. The department is consulting the Indian Meteorological wing to plan for possible rainfall during the next monsoon season.
In case of deficit rainfall, the government will devise an alternative agriculture action plan to address water scarcity. Most farmers under the Godavari ayacut cultivate paddy, requiring substantial water resources. Officials are preparing advance plans to ensure water availability for farming needs.
