Projects Run Dry, Cropping Activity Hit Across Rayalaseema

Alarm bells are ringing across Rayalaseema as water levels in key irrigation projects have dropped sharply, leaving farmers staring at a bleak agricultural season.

Despite near-normal rainfall in June, the region has experienced an almost dry spell through July, severely impacting both irrigation and drinking water availability.

Major lifeline projects such as Tungabhadra and Srisailam are currently in a precarious state, with reservoirs across districts nearing dead storage levels. The situation has led to a drastic fall in cultivated area, particularly for water-intensive crops.

Senior irrigation official and Kadapa chief engineer, Balachandra Reddy, said the situation remains critical. “At present, Srisailam reservoir holds only about 41tmc of water. The full reservoir level is 885 feet. Unless the level reaches at least 854 feet, we cannot release water downstream.”

“This year, water may suffice for drinking needs in Kadapa district reservoirs like Brahmam Sagar and Sarvaraya Sagar, but irrigation is unlikely,” he said.

The impact of El Niño has compounded the crisis, resulting in poor rainfall and a steep decline in crop acreage. In Kadapa district, against a normal cultivation area of 76,000 hectares, only about 8,000 hectares have been covered. Rain-fed crops such as groundnut, red gram, green gram and cotton have taken a major hit.

In Nandyal district, paddy cultivation, which usually covers around 80,000 acres, has dropped drastically. “This year, not even 22,000 acres have come under cultivation, mostly supported by bore wells and minor streams,” officials noted.

Kurnool, known statewide for its premium Sona Masuri rice, is also showing a decline in paddy cultivation, pushing rice prices upward. Farmers are increasingly reluctant to take risks amid uncertain water availability.

CH Papanna, a farmer from Halaharvi in Kurnool district, expressed his distress. “I own eight acres of land, but I did not sow cotton this year due to lack of rains. There is no point investing when there is no assurance of water,” he said.

Groundnut cultivation in Kadapa has also plummeted. Against a normal coverage of around 4,500 acres, only about 955 hectares have been cultivated this season. Mandals such as Duvvur, Chakrayapeta, Vemula, Veeraballi, Lingala and Simhadripuram have reported sharp declines in cropped area.

The situation is equally grim under the KC Canal ayacut. Irrigation from Srisailam through the canal usually supports thousands of acres across Kurnool, Nandyal and Kadapa districts. However, with insufficient water in the reservoir, not a single acre has been brought under cultivation this year.

Irrigation officials have advised farmers to shift from water-intensive crops to dry crops. Nandyal district water resources authorities recently announced a crop holiday for paddy, stating that there is no possibility of water release from the Krishna river this season.

“The present conditions reflect the impact of El Niño. Farmers must plan cautiously and opt for less water-dependent crops,” an irrigation official said.

With reservoirs running dry and rainfall deficit persi , Rayalaseema is bracing for a difficult agricultural year, raising concerns over livelihoods and food production in the region.