Paleru floodwater to be diverted to tanks to augment water storage

Khammam: District Collector Divakara TS informed that the administration was taking measures to utilise floodwater reaching the Paleru reservoir by diverting the excess water to tanks in different parts of the district.

The Collector inspected the Paleru reservoir in Kusumanchi mandal on Friday and reviewed the water level, inflows, discharge through canals, and the situation at the overflow point.

He directed officials to monitor the water situation continuously and utilise the available water efficiently.

Divakar said recent rains had resulted in water storage of around 25 to 30 per cent in several tanks across the district. The administration was planning to use the additional inflows into the Paleru reservoir to improve storage in tanks, depending on water availability and local conditions.

He said measures were being taken to utilise the Sagar Left Canal, Paleru Old Canal, Bhakta Ramadasu Lift Irrigation Scheme, Manchukonda Lift Irrigation Scheme, and other available lift irrigation systems to divert water to areas where it was required.

“With a low-pressure system bringing rainfall to the district, the administration had been put on alert,” the Collector said. Mandal-level and municipal officials were instructed to keep a close watch on low-lying areas, keep JCBs and other machinery ready and identify rehabilitation centres for use if necessary.

He said there were no major disruptions in the district due to rainfall so far, but officials should remain vigilant until the weather warnings ended and coordinate closely to respond to any flood-related situation.

The Collector also said the recent rainfall had provided some relief to farmers growing cotton, chilli and paddy.

In view of changing rainfall patterns, he stressed the need for crop diversification and agricultural planning based on water availability, rainfall and soil conditions.

During his tour, Divakar also inspected digital land re-survey works at Kamanchikal in Khammam Rural mandal, Kongara in Nelakondapalli mandal and Eshwara Madharam in Kusumanchi mandal. He examined the survey being carried out using modern equipment such as rovers and tablets in the presence of farmers and landowners and interacted with them to clarify their doubts.

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