CM Naidu Warns of Severe El Nino Impact, Calls for Prudent Water Use

Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday warned that Andhra Pradesh could face severe drought-like conditions due to the El Nino effect and urged farmers and the public to conserve water, adopt suitable crops and prepare for prolonged shortages.

Speaking during a discussion on El Nino in the state assembly, Naidu said the state was expected to receive 867mm rainfall from June to December but was likely to receive only 557mm. Rainfall deficit was 68 per cent in some districts in July and could be 35 per cent each in August and September, 25 per cent in October and 20 per cent in November. December may record one per cent excess rainfall.

He said major reservoirs were drying up, with only 586tmc available. Srisailam had received just 214tmc against the normal 753tmc. Cotton Barrage had received 1,071tmc against an expected 2,557tmc. Groundwater levels were also falling.

Naidu said Krishna basin supplies depended on reservoirs in Karnataka and Maharashtra being filled first, affecting Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar.

Though Godavari availability was relatively better, careful management was essential. Efficient management over the past two years had saved nearly 552tmc, which he described as a major safeguard.

The CM said drinking water would get first priority, followed by industrial requirements, and advised farmers to take up horticultural and drought-resistant crops. He cautioned against paddy cultivation in the Krishna basin if Godavari supplies stopped and urged public representatives to sensitise farmers. Tankers would be deployed where necessary to save crops and micro-irrigation promoted.

El Nino would affect both agriculture and inflation, he said. Paddy acreage had declined by 1.14 lakh hectares, while maize, groundnut and millets had also fallen. Sweet orange, acid lime and mango in Rayalaseema, banana and chilli in southern Andhra, and cashew and coconut in north coastal Andhra could face stress.

Naidu said Pattiseema had proved crucial, diverting 500tmc of Godavari water to the Krishna delta and supporting over 13 lakh acres. Another 40tmc would be diverted. More than 1,000tmc of Godavari water flowed into the sea annually, and diverting 30-40tmc to Visakhapatnam would help meet industrial and data-centre needs.

The government, he said, has prepared short and long-term plans, including a three-year water-management strategy. An irrigation calendar envisages 36 projects costing Rs 35,555 crore, providing irrigation to 19.16 lakh acres of new ayacut and stabilising over nine lakh acres. The projects would be completed by December 2028.

The chief minister stressed crop insurance, natural farming, market support, pre-monsoon dry sowing and micro-irrigation. Insurance coverage had expanded to 15.17 lakh hectares, with Rs 13,983 crore insured, placing AP fifth nationally. He urged MLAs to ensure enrolment before the August-end deadline.

The government, he said, would establish 20,000 Gokulam sheds and ensure fodder availability to protect the dairy sector. Jaladhara would strengthen water conservation, while enforcement and “Rythanna Mee Kosam” committees would support field-level management.

“Polavaram was the state’s lifeline and its canals would facilitate wider water distribution. Handri-Neeva expansion had been completed within 100 days and Veligonda would soon be inaugurated to benefit drought-hit Markapur,” Naidu said and called for collective action to conserve every drop and prepare the state for future El Nino-like conditions.