Khammam: The TS government will tap water flowing to the Prakasam Barrage in AP through three rivulets – Aker, Munner and Palair in Khammam district. This appears to be part of an unofficial policy to not allow even a single drop of water to flow to other states. The three rivulets are key to the water levels at the Prakasam Barrage which is used by AP for kharif operations and the excess water stored in the Pulinchintala project for rabi.
The three rivulets, whose origin is in Warangal and Nalogonda districts, merge into the River Krishna in AP and are important for Khammam district. The plan is two-fold to make available some water for irrigation and increase the groundwater-levels. As many as 10 check-dams have been planned across the three rivulets in the district to irrigate at least 10,000 acres. Tirumalayapalem – the most drought-prone mandal in Khammam district — is the focus.
Check dams on Akeru will come up at Hydarsaipet, Pindiprolu and Tippareddiguda under Tirumalayapalem mandal at a cost of Rs 10.5 crore and will help irrigate about 2,000 acres. Likewise, check dams on Akeru will be built at Tanagampadu and Utavaguthanda under Khammam Rural mandal and at Polisettigudem on Munner. These will help irrigate another 3,000 acres, as per the plan. Across Palair, check dams will come up a Bhavatveedthanda and Jakkepalli, at a cost of Rs 9 crore.
