Action plan to save rabi crop in Godavari delta

Amaravati: The state government is taking necessary steps to protect the paddy crop in Godavari delta. According to officials of water resources department, the paddy crop is being cultivated in 8.9 lakh acres both in East and West Godavari districts.

They said despite abnormal low inflows in Godavari river, the government has taken required measures to ensure adequate water supply for the entire delta to save the rabi crop.

District administration of both the districts, along with water resource department officials, have taken all measures to manage the judicious usage of available water for the benefit of farmers.

Recently, the government has sanctioned Rs 15 crore to lift water from the drains to meet the requirement of the standing crops. Similarly, adequate quantity of water is being drawn from the Sileru Reservoir to meet the requirement of water during the rabi season, which will go up to April 2 in West Godavari and April 10 in East Godavari district.

The district administration of both East and West Godavari districts urged the farmers to use the water judiciously to save the standing crops It may be noted that 88 tmc feet of water needed during the rabi season, including 83 tmc feet for crops and five tmc feet for drinking water. Of this 74 tmc of water used so far and further requirement stands at 14 tmc feet.

The officials are planning to draw five tmc of water from Sileru, one tmc feet through lift from Godavari and half tmc feet through lift from drains in addition to 0.3 tmc feet oozing water available from Godavari bed.

In addition, the state government is planning to request the officials to release five tmc feet of water from Balimela reservoir. At present 1,800 cusecs of water is being released from Balimela daily.