Hans News Service Rajamahendravaram

TheEast Godavari District Irrigation Advisory Committee on Thursday reviewed the water situation for the Kharif 2026 season and discussed measures to tackle the impact of the prevailing ‘Super El Nino’ conditions. The meeting was chaired by District Collector Kirti Chekuri at the Collectorate. Mandapeta MLA Vegulla Jogeswara Rao and Anaparthi MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy attended the meeting.

The committee examined the availability of Godavari waters and the plans required to meet irrigation and drinking water needs through efficient utilisation of available resources in view of the deficient rainfall. Irrigation Superintending Engineer G Srinivasa Rao informed the meeting that there would be no shortage of irrigation water for crops under the Godavari canal system. However, crops dependent on lift irrigation schemes, particularly those in tail-end areas, were facing water stress.

District Agriculture Officer B Venkata Rao said the district had recorded a 60% rainfall deficit, affecting nearly 9,000 hectares in 10 upland mandals. Groundwater department officials said crops irrigated through borewells were unlikely to face problems during Kharif, but warned that continued lack of rainfall could result in groundwater depletion during the ensuing Rabi season.

The collector advised farmers in water-scarce areas to take up less water-intensive crops. She directed Agriculture Department officials to create awareness among farmers on cultivation methods that require less water. Regarding rainfall in the upper catchment areas, the Collector said there were indications of increased inflows into the Godavari River. She instructed Irrigation officials to fill all 22 tanks under lift irrigation schemes over the next 10 days and ensure adequate water supply to tail-end agricultural lands. “Special attention should be given to Rangampeta tank, where the water shortage is severe,” she said. The Collector also reviewed irrigation under the Chagalnagu, Pushkara, Surampalem, Venkatanagaram and Tallapudi lift schemes. Transco officials were instructed to ensure uninterrupted power supply for lift irrigation systems.

To safeguard farmers against weather-related losses, the collector directed Lead District Manager DV Prasad and Agriculture Department officials to conduct a special fortnight drive to ensure that all farmers, including those who had not availed crop loans, enrol under the crop insurance scheme by paying the prescribed premium. MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy stressed the need to educate farmers on the impact of El Nino. He said Rangampeta mandal was facing an acute water shortage, affecting even drinking water for cattle, and sought immediate filling of the Rangampeta tank.

Mandapeta MLA Vegulla Jogeswara Rao urged officials to stand by farmers during the difficult season and take timely steps to reduce their hardships. Polavaram Left Canal Superintending Engineer B Yesubabu, Head Works Executive Engineer Srinivas, Project Director of Micro Irrigation A Durgesh, Cooperative Officer MV Venkataramana and others were present.