NELLORE: Northeast monsoon is likely to let down Nellore, going by the statement of agriculture minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy.
Quoting a forecast on rainfall during north-east monsoon in the next three months, he said the rainfall deficit may be to the extent of 50 per cent in the current season. Monsoons have not been blessing Nellore district since two years. The rainfall deficit was to the extent of 63 per cent in 2017 and 59 per cent in the current year so far.
However, 22tmc.ft. of Krishna river water receiv-ed through Pothireddypadu head regulator had helped to raise crops in 7 lakh acres during 2017.
Similarly, 48 tmc.ft. water was received this year from Pothireddypadu for Somasila project and the current storage is 42 tmc.ft. in Somasila reservoir and 12.5 tmc in Kandaleru dam. Speaking to mediapersons after a review held with the Irrigation officials here on Friday, Chandramohan Reddy said that they will be able to provide water to the entire ayacut if the rain God blesses the district.
“November month always benefited Nellore with sumptuous rains and let us hope that the trend repeats again,” the Minister asserted. He claimed that they are taking several measures to protect the interests of farmers in drought-hit Rayalaseema, Nellore and Prakasam districts.
The Minister said that they will take a decision on water supply for the first crop during the Irrigation Advisory Board meeting scheduled for November 8, while referring to current water availability in Somasila in Kandaleru reservoir.
Chandramohan Reddy has instructed the Irrigation officials to release water from Kanigiri and Sarveypalli reservoirs from November 4 to enable the farmers raise nurseries.
