Abundant Water In Somasila, Kandaleru Set To Irrigate 7 Lakh Acres: Somireddy
With water levels in Somasila reservoir crossing 62 TMC and Kandaleru reaching 36 TMC, farmers in Nellore district are set for a bumper agricultural season
By : Pathri Rajasekhar
Update: 2025-08-31 13:57 GMT
Nellore: With water levels in Somasila reservoir crossing 62 TMC and Kandaleru reaching 36 TMC, farmers in Nellore district are set for a bumper agricultural season.
Sarvepalli legislator Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy expressed confidence that nearly 7 lakh acres could be brought under cultivation in the coming crop cycle, offering fresh hope after years of distress.
During a visit to farmlands in Koduru village of Thotapalli Gudur mandal, Somireddy noted that farmers were finally able to resume cultivation on 1,500 acres in the upper reaches of Koduru Cheruvu after a gap of five years.
These lands, tilled by small and marginal farmers from villages such as Koduru, Eduru, Vilukanipalli, Macherlavaripalem and Amuluru, had remained barren during the last government’s tenure.
“Looking at the lush green fields today gives immense satisfaction. In the past five years, despite water being available in Koduru tank, farmers were denied the chance to cultivate. As a result, they lost nearly 6,000 quintals of yield worth ₹10 crore each season, which translates to around ₹30 crore in total losses over five years,” Somireddy said while interacting with the media.
He criticised the previous government for mismanaging water distribution, alleging that excess storage beyond irrigation needs had left upstream farmers in distress.
“Ayacut farmers must always get first priority—no acre under the command area should go dry. At the same time, unnecessary diversion of water should not trouble the upper region farmers,” he added.
Recalling earlier efforts, Somireddy said he had sanctioned ₹9 crore for strengthening the Koduru tank bund and carried out development works during his ministerial tenure, but alleged that subsequent negligence and illegal soil excavation had weakened the tank’s structure.
Despite these setbacks, the MLA expressed optimism about the future: “Thanks to the abundant inflows into Somasila and Kandaleru, farmers across the Pennar delta can finally look forward to assured irrigation. Our government is committed to giving agriculture top priority and ensuring small and marginal farmers reap the benefits.”