Kannepalli Pumps Ready to Run Despite Low Water Levels, Says Harish Rao

When you talk about water scarcity in Telangana, the conversation often lands on the farms that are staring at parched fields. In that context, the recent statement by Water Resources Minister Harish Rao about the Kannepalli pump project felt like a small but meaningful sigh of relief.

During a press meet in Hyderabad, Rao explained that the pumps at the Kannepalli reservoir were designed to function even when the water level is well below the usual operating mark. “We’ve tested the system, and it’s performing as expected. Farmers don’t need to wait for the reservoir to fill up to the brim before they can start irrigation,” he said, adding a reassuring smile.

Why does this matter? The region has been battling erratic monsoons for the past few years, and many irrigation projects have been stalled because water levels never reach the thresholds required for conventional pump operation. The Kannepalli setup, however, uses a combination of low-head turbines and high-efficiency motors that can draw water from depths previously considered uneconomic.

Local farmer Suresh Reddy, who cultivates paddy near the Kannepalli basin, shared his experience. “Earlier, we would wait for weeks, hoping the water would rise. Now, with these pumps, we can start the fields as soon as we need,” he remarked, his eyes reflecting both fatigue and a flicker of optimism.

Rao also highlighted that the state government is closely monitoring the performance metrics—energy consumption, water draw, and crop yield—to ensure the pumps deliver on their promise. He mentioned that if the pilot proves successful, similar low-level pump installations could be rolled out across other drought‑prone districts.

While the pumps are not a silver bullet for the broader water crisis, they do represent a pragmatic step toward making the most of the water that is available. In a state where agriculture employs a large chunk of the population, any tool that can keep the fields green—even for a few more weeks—can make a difference.

So, as the monsoon clouds gather over Telangana, the Kannepalli pumps stand ready, humming quietly, waiting to turn a scarce resource into a lifeline for the fields below.