The woman sustained minor head injuries in the attack by her husband, they said.
An inebriated Narasimhulu, a labourer, had an argument with his wife yesterday over the issue following which he stripped her, Nizamabad Rural Circle Inspector Venkateshwarlu said.
"Narasimhulu then took out a knife and chased her in order to attack her as she ran towards a canal in the naked state and jumped in the water," he said citing the complaint lodged by the woman.
Police registered a case of attempt to murder and under relevant provisions of Nirbhaya Act and took the man into custody last evening.
Some local women organisations condemned the incident and sought immediate arrest of the accused.