In view of delayed monsoon, scanty rainfall and impending drought-like situation, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao held an emergency meeting with the officials of various departments on Sunday. The state government is bracing up to meet any contingencies. Mr KCR asked the officials should monitor the water levels in various irrigation projects and reservoirs. They should ensure the lifting of water available in rivers Krishna and Godavari to fill all the reservoirs.
Mission Bhagiratha engineers were directed to keep the reservoirs full and ensure an uninterrupted drinking water supply. Calling for better coordination between the electricity, irrigation and agriculture departments, the chief minister said they should tap the Pranahita waters and lift the same through Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla projects to fill Mid Manair. From there, water should be supplied to Suryapet via SRSP revival project. They should ensure water supply to the ayacut under SRSP.
Mr KCR pointed out that the importance of the Kaleshwaram project would be known in times of crisis. “This is testing time for us. We have built irrigation projects and reservoirs. If there is no water in Godavari, we are getting water in Pranahita. It could be pumped round the clock and ensure one TMC of water be tapped to fill Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla and same can be pumped,” he said. The agriculture officials were instructed to keep the seeds and fertilisers ready for the farmers going for second sowing. The CM wanted the farmers to follow the instructions of agriculture department officials from time to time and not to panic. The state government will continue to monitor the situation every day, he said.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao