The upper regions of the Godavari river have run dry, drastically affecting Telangana’s key irrigation systems such as the Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP), Sripada Yellampalli, Kaddam, and several other vital reservoirs, now left with critically depleted water reserves.

A sluggish monsoon in the river’s main catchment zones has intensified the water scarcity in districts like Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, and Adilabad, pushing them into crisis mode.

In Nizamabad district, the SRSP — often dubbed the lifeline of northern Telangana — is witnessing dangerously low levels. As of Sunday, its water stock hovered around 13 TMC, a sharp contrast to its full storage potential of 90.313 TMC. This is almost identical to last year’s figures, despite limited rainfall.

Due to insufficient inflows, the SRSP’s Flood Flow Canal, meant to redirect excess water to Mid Manair and Lower Manair dams, remains unused.

The Yellampalli reservoir, straddling Peddapalli and Mancherial districts, is also under stress. It currently stores just 8 TMC of water, well below its 20 TMC capacity, undermining supply across surrounding regions.

The Kaleshwaram lift system, designed to pump 49.5 TMC to higher altitudes, is now idle — unable to even meet drinking water needs.

Kaddam dam in Adilabad, functioning since 1958, also reports minimal storage due to the absence of upstream rains. Smaller tanks under the Pranahita-Chevella and Kaleshwaram projects are similarly parched.

With the Godavari basin missing its usual Southwest monsoon rains, hope now rests on a second-half revival in June.

Towns like Korutla, Armoor, Kamareddy, and Jagtial may soon face acute shortages.