Krishna Water Released to Benefit 30 Lakh Delta Farmers

Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday released irrigation water from the Prakasam Barrage to the Krishna Delta, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring timely water supply for farmers during the ensuing kharif season.

Krishna district collector Lakshmisha, along with public representatives and irrigation officials, formally released 3,200 cusecs of water from the Krishna eastern main head regulator into the eastern canal. Special prayers were offered to River Krishna before the release.

The collector said the initiative, a continuation of the recently held Eruvaka Pournami programme, would enable timely irrigation for nearly 30 lakh farmers cultivating about 13.08 lakh acres under the Krishna Delta ayacut.

He said the government had completed canal desilting and repair works under chief minister’s Jaladhara–Jalaharathi initiative to ensure water reaches even the tail-end ayacut areas. Efforts were also being made to improve groundwater recharge and ensure that farmers receive adequate water for their fields, making agriculture more profitable.

Chairman of the federation of state water users' associations Alla Gopalakrishna Rao said the water release on July 1, in accordance with the irrigation calendar, would help farmers complete paddy transplantation by July end, reducing the risk of crop losses from cyclones that generally occur in November.

Gopalakrishna Rao said Rs 64 crore had been spent on desilting canals and strengthening embankments in the Krishna delta under the operation and maintenance funds, while Rs 425 crore had been allocated for similar works across the state.

He said the water available in Pulichintala reservoir was being utilised efficiently. The Godavari waters would be diverted through the Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme during July to prevent any shortage in the Krishna delta.