Tue Sep 23 18:48:06 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article, followed by a rewritten version in news article format:

**Summary:**

The long-standing dispute over the Almatti Dam, located in Karnataka on the Krishna River, has reignited tensions between Karnataka and Telangana. Karnataka’s decision to raise the dam’s height, citing the 2013 Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II Award, has sparked concern in Telangana, which relies on the Krishna River for irrigation and drinking water. The issue has become a political football in Telangana, with the opposition criticizing the Chief Minister’s perceived silence and inaction. Telangana plans to contest the decision in the Supreme Court and at the upcoming KWDT-II hearing. The dispute is particularly sensitive due to its potential impact on agriculture and water security in several Telangana districts, and the upcoming local body elections add further pressure on the ruling Congress party. The situation is further complicated by the involvement of multiple states (Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra) and the potential for inter-state conflict.

**News Article:**

**Almatti Dam Dispute Reignites Tensions Between Karnataka and Telangana**

**Hyderabad, September 24, 2025** – A decades-old dispute surrounding the Almatti Dam on the Krishna River has flared up once again, threatening to strain relations between Karnataka and Telangana. The controversy stems from Karnataka’s recent decision to increase the height of the dam, a move that Telangana fears will severely impact its water supply.

Karnataka justifies the decision by referencing the 2013 Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) Award, claiming it aims to utilize “excess water flowing into the sea.” However, Telangana, a lower riparian state, heavily relies on the Krishna River for drinking water and irrigation in its southern districts. Officials fear the increased dam height will restrict water flow downstream, jeopardizing crucial projects like the Palmuru–Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Scheme.

The issue has quickly escalated into a political battleground within Telangana. Opposition parties, including the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are accusing Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of a weak response to Karnataka’s actions. BRS leaders have pointed to Maharashtra’s opposition to the dam height increase and questioned why Telangana hasn’t shown similar urgency.

“Not a drop of Telangana’s share will be compromised,” Reddy has stated previously, but his current silence regarding the Almatti Dam has been taken by the Opposition party as ammunition to attack and criticize the ruling party.

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has reassured the public that Telangana will fight its case in the Supreme Court, where the matter is already pending. The state is also prepared to initiate contempt proceedings, as the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal’s Award (KWDT-II Award) remains under a stay. The Minister is scheduled to attend the KWDT-II hearing today, September 23rd.

The stakes are high for Telangana. The Krishna River is a lifeline for millions in districts like Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, and Ranga Reddy. With local body elections on the horizon, the Congress government is under pressure to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the state’s water rights. Failure to do so could result in significant electoral repercussions.

The Almatti Dam has a history of sparking inter-state tensions. Previous disputes in the late 1990s and early 2000s even led to law-and-order issues in border districts. This latest development has resurrected those memories and heightened anxieties among Telangana’s farmers.

The political ramifications extend beyond Telangana. With two Congress-ruled states potentially at odds, the response from the party’s high command will be closely watched. While abundant rainfall this year has filled reservoirs and tanks across Telangana, the underlying issue of water security remains a potent political flashpoint. The opposition party is planning to highlight the issue which would corner the ruling party in the upcoming elections.

The KWDT-II hearing could be a turning point, potentially bolstered by Maharashtra’s opposition to the dam height increase. However, the long-term resolution will likely require a delicate balancing act between legal challenges, political negotiations, and the need to ensure water security for all stakeholders.

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