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Water scarcity grips delta
Highlights
West Godavari district - the rice bowl of the State has been battling water scarcity. Godavari western delta farmers are in a quandary with officials stating that they are not in a position to supply water to rabi crop. As the water in Godavari River reached dead storage levels, the officials have been expressing their doubts about the supply of irrigation water to rabi crop in western delta fields, from past few days. Meanwhile, the Sileru project officials clarified that it’s not possible to supply water to the crops, as the power production may be affected.
Eluru: West Godavari district - the rice bowl of the State has been battling water scarcity. Godavari western delta farmers are in a quandary with officials stating that they are not in a position to supply water to rabi crop. As the water in Godavari River reached dead storage levels, the officials have been expressing their doubts about the supply of irrigation water to rabi crop in western delta fields, from past few days. Meanwhile, the Sileru project officials clarified that it’s not possible to supply water to the crops, as the power production may be affected.
Farmers’ associations are alleging that the government’s decision to divert Godavari water to Krishna delta through Polavaram Right Main Canal (PRMC) from Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS) has led to water scarcity in Godavari delta. As many as 4.80 lakhs acres is up for cultivation during the rabi season every year. Most of the farmers, who incurred heavy losses during khariff season due to heavy rains, have pinned their hopes on rabi, however the acute shortage of water supply as dealt them a heavy blow.
Meanwhile, the district Collector K Bhaskar directed the farmers to complete planting of saplings by end of December. He reiterated that there is no possibility to supply water and stated that the water is only available to save nurseries. It is estimated that only 15 per cent farmers have raised nurseries in Godavari delta. While the farmers in Tadepalligudem region have raised nurseries, the farmers in Chinchinada, Enuguvanilanka, Yalamanchili, Siragalapalli and other villages left the cultivation during rabi season with a fear of scarcity of water.
Farmers stated that it is not possible to complete plantation of saplings by end of December as there aren’t enough nurseries. The Andhra Pradesh Koulu Rythu Sangham district Secretary K Srinivas said that it is not possible for the farmers to complete the saplings by January 1. “If the Government did not pump the Godavari water from PLIS, the Godavari delta farmers might get the irrigation water to the rabi crop. The farmers are in a hope that they can recoup the losses of khariff with rabi crop and it is now lost,” he added.
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