Farmers assured of water, inputs

Amaravati: The reservoirs in the State received water by July second week this year whereas during the previous year the water reached in September, informed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a review meeting on Neeru-Pragati here on Monday. 

As rain water was coming to the Prakasam Barrage, the flow from Pattiseema was reduced by the Irrigation Department, he said. The officials explained that the water entered Srisailam reservoir during September last year, but the reservoir got inflows in the second week of July this year.

The water flow is increasing in the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers, officials informed. Irrigation officials are expecting that the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs would get sufficient and maximum water levels this year, if the steady inflow of water continues for some more days. Taking the advantage of early rains, all the reservoirs in the State should be filled with water, Chandrababu Naidu suggested to the officials. 

Particularly, the major reservoirs including Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Somasila and Kandaleru should be filled with water, he said. Forest and Environment department officials were directed to intensify the water harvesting schemes and programmes in order to conserve the rain water.

“If we could convert every drop of rain water into ground water, then there would be no drought problem in the State,” he added. At present, the groundwater table is at a depth of 12.33 metres from the ground. “The water must be available within 9 metres by November and for that we have to take all the water conservation measures,” explained the Chief Minister.

He pointed out that the State has been facing both drought and flood problems. The Rayalaseema region has been experiencing the drought problems, while the coastal Andhra has been facing flood problems. 

Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to take stringent action against those indulging in illegal sand mining and transportation in the State. He said that the government will ensure proper supply of water and inputs to the farmers this kharif season.

Chief Minister asked officials to fill the 400 vacant MPEO posts immediately. He said that the coming six months were very crucial for the government and officials should complete several projects within the time frame.