No Irrigation Water for Non-Delta Areas, Say Officials

Irrigation officials have made it clear that water for irrigation will not be supplied to non-delta areas of the Godavari River basin, as river flows have dropped to their lowest levels in nearly 70 years due to the impact of El Niño.

Officials said that even upland areas within the delta command may not receive irrigation water, as priority is being given to drinking water supply for nearly 55 lakh people across East Godavari, Kakinada and Visakhapatnam districts.

Farmers outside the delta ayacut have been advised to opt for alternative crops instead of paddy in view of the prevailing water scarcity.

Addressing reporters at Dowleswaram, Engineer-in-Chief K. Narasimha Murthy explained that the Godavari delta system is designed to depend on 30 per cent rainfall and 70 per cent canal flows. However, rainfall in the delta region has been 70 per cent below normal, placing the entire burden on canal water.

He said 14,700 cusecs of water is currently being released through the canal network — including 4,900 cusecs to the Eastern Delta canals, 2,800 cusecs to the Central Canal and 7,000 cusecs to the Western Canal. This, he noted, is the maximum carrying capacity of the canals, warning that any further increase could lead to overflow and inundation of agricultural fields and nearby habitations.

Narasimha Murthy said nearly 50 TMC of water has already been supplied through the canal system, with paddy transplantation currently under way in the delta command area.

He also revealed that Nimmala Ramanaidu recently inspected about 90 km of the Godavari Central Delta canals and directed officials to improve water supply to tail-end areas by removing weeds and undertaking desilting works.

The Engineer-in-Chief said the government is prioritising drinking water needs while making optimal use of available resources to protect farmers’ interests.

He added that the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme cannot be operated to full capacity due to reduced river flows. As a result, water from the Pushkara Canal and Yeleru system is being primarily utilised for drinking purposes.

Senior irrigation officials, including superintendent engineer G. Srinivas, Yeleru executive engineer G. Seshagiri and headworks executive engineer G. Srinivasa Rao, were present at the press conference.