The Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Department has warned of potential heavy losses for farmers due to a 51% rainfall deficit and low water storage in upstream reservoirs.
The El Nino effect has led to a sharp decline in rainfall across Andhra Pradesh, as reported by the Irrigation Department. This has resulted in significantly reduced inflows into the Krishna River. In a media conference held in Vijayawada, the Engineer-in-Chief of the department, K. Narasimhamurthy, confirmed that the state has recorded a 51% rainfall deficit, while the Krishna Delta has received 49% less rainfall than normal.
The low water storage in upstream reservoirs such as Almatti, Narayanpur, and Tungabhadra means that water will not reach Srisailam until these reservoirs are adequately filled. To manage the current water scarcity, the government is prioritizing drinking water needs and managing available water to ensure supply to villages, towns, and municipalities until June 2027.
In response to this situation, Mr. Narasimhamurthy has appealed to farmers not to cultivate paddy due to the risk of heavy losses from inadequate water during the crop season. He has also suggested that farmers consider less water-intensive crops.
Source:
Akashvani News
