KCR takes stock of drought conditions in state, directs priority to drinking water

HYDERABAD: In the wake of delayed monsoon and extended summer, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao directed officials to take measures to provide uninterrupted irrigation water to farmers to enable them to begin kharif-sowing operations.

The CM also asked officials to give preference to drinking water supply over irrigation, at a meeting with ministers and officials at the Secretariat to review the situation arising out of delayed monsoon, the start of the kharif sowing operations and stress on drinking water and irrigation facilities.

Rao directed finance minister T. Harish Rao and finance special chief secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao to credit the Rythu Bandhu amount into the accounts of farmers from June 26. He also instructed them to make arrangements to disburse Rythu Bandhu to tribals who receive podu land pattas.

Referring to MET department cautions that there would be scanty rainfall until the first week of July, the CM asked officials to ensure there is no drinking water scarcity. If needed, officials could postpone the release of irrigation water from projects, he noted after obtaining details on the water levels in reservoirs and the water required for Mission Bhagiratha.

The CM also reviewed the progress of Palamur-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation project. He asked officials to undertake drinking water component works of this project in compliance with Supreme Court orders and take steps to lift water to fill Narlapur, Yedula, Karivena, and Udandapur reservoirs.

Water solutions
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao reviewed water availability at key projects and offered solutions

-Ranganayakasagar has 0.69 tmc ft: Fill with 2 tmc ft from Mid-Manair.
-Nizamsagar has water till August-end: Lift 5 tmc ft from Kondapochammasagar.
-For Sriramsagar project, lift 30 to 35 tmc ft from Kaleshwaram.
-Fill Mallannasagar with additional 10 tmc ft water.
-Lift water from Mid-Manair to Gouravelli reservoir.
-Godavari at Kaleshwaram will have water in October/November, to be used to fill Yellampalli, SRSP, Mid-Manair, Annapurna, Ranganayakasagar, Mallannasagar, Kondapochammasagar.