YSRCP leader Sake Sailajanath on Friday accused the government of neglecting Rayalaseema and demanded the immediate release of water from the Srisailam reservoir to irrigation projects across the drought-prone region.

Addressing the media at the party office at Tadepalli, Mr. Sailajanath questioned why Rayalaseema projects were not being filled despite Srisailam reservoir holding over 180 tmc ft of water.

He alleged that farmers were facing water shortages and crops were drying up while the government was advising them against cultivation. Several reservoirs, including those under the Telugu Ganga system, were holding less than 50% of their capacity, he claimed.

Mr. Sailajanath demanded the release of 40,000 cusecs of water through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator and additional supplies through Malyala and Muchumarri to fill Handri-Neeva and other Rayalaseema projects.

Questioning the suspension of the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation scheme, claiming that nearly 90% of the works had been completed under the YSRCP government, he alleged that the coalition had cancelled works aimed at increasing the carrying capacity of the Handri-Neeva system.

He also criticised the government over its alleged silence on Karnataka’s proposed move to increase Almatti dam height and the Upper Bhadra project.

Mr. Sailajanath said the YSRCP would organise a visit to the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator on August 24.

Published - August 21, 2026 08:08 pm IST