AP govt to divert 3000 cusecs of water from Godavari river

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government will divert 3000 cusecs of water from Godavari river to Krishna river in a bid to save crops in Krishna and Guntur districts reeling under drought-like conditions.

"Minimum 3000 cusecs of water from Godavari river will be diverted to Krishna river from Pattiseema Lift Irrigation project through Polavaram right canal, by August 15," Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao told reporters here.

He said the government has expedited completion of pending works of the Polavaram right canal for the diversion of water.

The minister said drought-like conditions are prevalent in many districts of the state.

"While sowing on about 50 lakh acres has been completed this Kharif season, which is higher by 3 lakh acres compared to the last Kharif season," he said while assuring farmers that government has initiated all steps to protect their interests by supplying water from Godavari river.