Thunderstorm Hits Kurnool, Brings Relief to Drought-stricken Region

Kurnool: A thunderstorm hit Kurnool and its surrounding areas on Saturday evening, lasting for more than two hours and bringing much-needed relief to the drought-stricken region.

Orvakal received approximately 4 cm of rainfall, and Kurnool city experienced strong gusts of wind, accompanied by loud thunder and frequent lightning.

The region had faced a severe shortage of rainfall during the southwest monsoon, with sowing activities commencing in only around 55,000 hectares out of the total cultivation area of 4.21 lakh hectares in Kurnool this year. With a 40 per cent rainfall deficit during the previous season, agriculture had been impacted due to insufficient rains.

The district authorities are now concerned about managing the supply of drinking water to the district headquarters, given the inadequate water levels in the summer storage tank if the region does not receive adequate rainfall.

To address the water crisis, the district administration has decided to impose the following measures:

Restrict farmers, particularly those cultivating paddy in project areas, encouraging them to consider alternative crops that require less water.

Seek government permission to transfer one TMC of water from the Tungabhadra Dam to the Sunkesula Reservoir and to transfer water from the Handri-Neeva canal to the Gajuladinne project to manage water levels.

Disconnect power to 600 unauthorised water pumps in the district that draw water illegally.