{
  "id": 36803,
  "title": "Krishna water releases: YSRCP criticises government policy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/krishna-water-releases-ysrcp-criticises-government-policy",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T08:44:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/krishna-water-releases-ysrcp-criticises-government-policy/article71297291.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "YSRCP's M.V.S. Nagi Reddy has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of inadequately utilizing Krishna River water for irrigation in drought-prone areas and the Krishna delta. A statement released on August 2, 2026, highlighted that around 1.8 lakh cusecs of water was released from the Jurala project and nearly 1.74 lakh cusecs reached the Srisailam reservoir, whose water level exceeded the minimum drawdown level. Telangana had already commenced water usage through various irrigation schemes, while Andhra Pradesh delayed releases through the Handri-Neeva and Muchumarri lift schemes. Nagi Reddy criticized the government for discouraging paddy cultivation in the Krishna delta during the kharif season, emphasizing that paddy, sugarcane, and aquaculture are the primary economic activities in the region. The Pulichintala project, which stabilizes the Krishna delta, currently holds 29 tmc ft. of water. Nagi Reddy questioned the decision to retain all the water for drinking needs until June 2027, despite significant inflows into reservoirs in the Krishna basin. He also disputed claims about water being lifted through the Pattiseema project, asserting that releasing water from both Pattiseema and Pulichintala would adequately address irrigation requirements. Nagi Reddy urged the government to promptly release water to the Krishna delta, the Handri-Neeva project, and the K.C. Canal to avert an escalating agrarian crisis, as thousands of tenant farmers had already invested in cultivation.",
  "summary": "M.V.S. Nagi Reddy criticised the government for advising farmers in the Krishna delta against cultivating paddy during the kharif season",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}