AP Government Starts Releasing Water From Veligallu Project

Tirupati: State government has begun releasing 120 cusecs of water into the right canal of Veligallu project in Galiveedu mandal of Annamayya district from Sunday. The supply is to serve drinking water and other essential needs.

Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy inaugurated the release of water. The discharge will be reduced to 80 cusecs after 15 days, according to a plan prepared by the district administration.

The government has decided to give priority to drinking water, livestock needs, and groundwater recharge. Each tank will be filled to a maximum of 30 per cent. Water will not be released beyond essential requirements.

About 0.5 TMC of water is planned to be used from the project until the end of October. The district administration is planning to replenish about 0.5 TMC of water in the Veligallu project from the Handri-Neeva project thereafter, the minister said.

He asked farmers not to depend on Veligallu project water for cultivation, particularly for crops requiring large quantities of water. Citing deficient rainfall due to El Niño conditions, he advised farmers to opt for dryland crops.

Ramprasad Reddy wanted the public to use water sparingly to avoid drinking water shortages later this year and next year. He said the government’s first priority is to ensure drinking water for people and water for livestock.

The minister said farmers who have suffered crop losses due to water shortage should approach the district administration for compensation under crop insurance.