As Telangana is facing a weak Southwest Monsoon this year due to El Nino, Telangana Retired Engineers Association (TREA) urged the state government to resume operations at the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla lift irrigation barrages. The association said floodwaters from the Pranahita-Godavari river system are still available, even though most reservoirs are below normal storage levels

Furthermore, the association said major reservoirs in Telangana have lower storage than usual this monsoon. Citing Central Water Commission (CWC) data, it noted that in early July 2024, gross storage was 16–46% below the long-term average. However, the association pointed out that the Pranahita is Telangana’s only perennial river. Despite water scarcity elsewhere, floodwaters from the Pranahita-Godavari system are still available.

The association focused its appeal on the Kannepalli, Annaram, and Sundilla pump houses. It said these can operate safely with present water levels. The association’s assessment found that the Medigadda barrage requires a Minimum Drawdown Level (MDDL) of +93.500 metres to supply Kannepalli. Current Pranahita floodwaters are at about +97.500 metres with radial gates open. The Kannepalli pump house can lift about 3 TMC of water per day at this level.

Additionally, the association said MDDL at Annaram should be maintained at +116.500 metres and at Sundilla at +126.500 metres. This would keep the barrages within safe operational limits and allow the pump houses to function in coordination.

On the issue of safety, TREA President M. Shyam Prasad Reddy addressed potential risks. He said Annaram and Sundilla barrages together store about 8.8 TMC of water (5.1 TMC at Annaram and 3.7 TMC at Sundilla). If both barrages failed simultaneously, this volume would be released into the river at 1.02 lakh cusecs over 24 hours. The discharge rate could be higher for shorter durations: 4.08 lakh cusecs over 6 hours or 8.16 lakh cusecs over a shorter interval.

Moreover, the association cited historical flood records. It said Pranahita inflows at Medigadda have exceeded 10 lakh cusecs several times. Even during these events, inflows into the lift irrigation chain could reach 8.87 lakh cusecs. The association said these flows can be managed safely if operators follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The association said that if Pranahita floodwaters remain above the Medigadda MDDL, lifting water to Kannepalli and maintaining Annaram and Sundilla at their MDDLs is hydraulically stable. This ensures reliable conveyance of water onward to Yellampalli Barrage.

The association urged the government to immediately run the three pumping stations as it recommended, due to the current water shortage and farmers’ needs. The association also offered to help with its technical expertise, especially to benefit farmers.