Vijayawada: Though there has been no sign of release of Krishna water even by the end of August, farmers in 13 lakh acres in Krishna delta are able to take up cultivation with the help of Pattiseema project.
The Godavari water is being released from Pattiseema to save crops in Krishna delta for the third time, this year.
In 2015, the first year, 8.8 tmc of water was released through Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, which saved the standing crops worth Rs 2,500 cr during dry spell.
In 2016, 55.60 tmc of water was released to PLIS during kharif season in Krishna delta, according to irrigation officials.
This year, Chief Minister N. Chandra-babu Naidu released water to Krishna delta as per schedule in June itself to help early sowing of paddy and to save the crop from cyclones in November. So far, 44 tmc of water was released to Krishna delta this year and cultivation also picked up in 8.5 lakh acres.
As per the water requirement for kharif season during 2017-18 in Krishna delta, Krishna eastern delta requires 80.65 tmc, Krishna western delta requires 62.56 tmc.
Water relealised so far from Pattiseema stands at nearly 44 tmc. No water release from Nagarjuna sagar so far. The water release from Pulichintala stands at 4.19 tmc, Wazinepalli 3.92 tmc and Keesara 10.88 tmc.
In June, July and August, the officials released 5.28 tmc of water to Krishna Eastern branch canal, 5.31 tmc to Bandar canal, 5.35 tmc to Elugu canal, 14.94 tmc to Ryves canal of Krishna eastern delta and 15.91 tmc through Krishna western main canal, 0.58 tmc through Guntur channel.
in Krishna western delta so far. All India Rytu Samakya president Yerneni Nagendranath said that Godavari water supplied from Pulichintala and rains saved Krishna delta this year. He said the harvesting in Krishna delta starts from November 15. However water required for Diviseema, Guntur and Prakasam districts after November as the harvesting starts in those areas in December and January.
