Growing uncertainty over irrigation water supply for standing crops has pushed the farming community in Telangana’s Khammam district into severe distress. The crisis triggered widespread demonstrations on Monday at Wyra, where opposition parties including the BRS, CPM, and CPI (ML) Massline joined local cultivators in demanding the immediate release of water from the Wyra reservoir into the command ayacut.

During the agitations, tensions ran high as an elderly farmer, Bodepudi Madhava Rao, desperately fell at the feet of a local Sub-Inspector, pleading with authorities to discharge water to save their drying crops. Protesting farmers expressed deep frustration, pointing out that despite the reservoir holding around 17 feet of water, local irrigation officials have refused to open the sluice gates, citing a lack of clearance and directives from higher administrative authorities.

The ground situation highlights an apparent administrative disconnect. While Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao stated that he directed district authorities to coordinate water releases for the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut and raised the matter with the Chief Minister, district administrators have taken a conservative stance. District Collector Divakara TS emphasised that drinking water needs remain the foremost priority. Officials explained that Palair reservoir’s 17.3-foot level is reserved for 60 days of drinking supplies across Khammam, Suryapet, and Mahabubabad, while Wyra’s 16.8-foot reserve is allocated to secure 135 days of drinking water for Wyra and Madhira constituencies.

District Agriculture Officer D. Pullaiah noted that out of 5.80 lakh cultivable acres, paddy has already been sown across 1.5 lakh acres, alongside extensive cotton, chilli, and green gram farming. With officials advising farmers to depend exclusively on local borewells and tanks rather than major reservoirs until inflows increase, growers who invested heavily in paddy face imminent crop loss if canal releases remain suspended.