Farmer Rides Motorbike Through Dry Field To Protest Water Shortage, Power Cuts
Interruptions in power supply, increasing dependence on groundwater, and inadequate rainfall have left farmers worried in this El Nino year.
Warangal:A field that should have been thriving with green crops has dried up, as irrigation water is unavailable. Protesting against this, a young farmer rode his motorcycle around his parched field in an unusual protest.
Through his act, farmer Karre Praveen from Gollapalli village in Ganapuram mandal of Jayashankar Bhupalpally district highlighted his helplessness in protecting the crop and hardships caused by power cuts and irrigation water shortage.
Interruptions in power supply, increasing dependence on groundwater, and inadequate rainfall have left farmers worried in this El Nino year. Even where borewells have water, farmers are unable to operate their motors due to insufficient electricity. Without accessible water sources, crops are drying up, worsening the farmers' financial conditions.
Even Mulugu district has been witnessing worrying rainfall shortages. From June to October 27, the district should have received an average of 1,238.5 mm of rainfall. But it recorded only 1,020.4 mm, resulting in a 17.6 per cent deficit. The situation became particularly severe in October. Against the normal rainfall of 81.7 mm expected by October 27, the district received only 6 mm, registering a deficit of 92.7 per cent.
Groundwater conditions in Hanamkonda district are raising concerns. According to Groundwater department statistics, the average groundwater level in September last year had been 3.40 metres. This year, it is 5.98 metres.
Electricity consumption across the erstwhile Warangal region has increased. On October 3, power consumption reached 99.45 million units, against 58.42 million units on the same day last year, registering a 70.23 per cent increase.
Hanamkonda electricity circle recorded a peak demand of 346.86 MW on October 3, while the Warangal circle registered 331.54 MW on October 2.
The rainfall deficit, declining groundwater levels, and power interruptions have combined to create serious challenges for farmers. Ensuring quality electricity during scheduled agricultural hours, promoting rainwater harvesting, and monitoring groundwater utilisation have become essential.
Authorities need to assess water shortages and guide farmers on crop cultivation according to water availability. Continued shortage of water would severely affect crop yields and livelihoods of farmers.
