Kurnool: In response to the impending water crisis in Kurnool city, the district administration has decided to impose restrictions on paddy farming in areas near the city.
District collector G. Srijana presided over a review meeting with city mayor B. Ramaiah, Kurnool MLA Hafeez Khan, municipal commissioner A. Bhargava Teja and some officials on Thursday.
The district collector said the city was facing a potential drinking water crisis and measures must be taken to prevent unauthorised water consumption.
Agricultural department officials have been asked to inform farmers, particularly those cultivating paddy in the Gajuladinne project areas, to consider raising alternative crops that consume less water “as there is a serious shortage of drinking water.”
The collector said discussions will be held with the state officials regarding 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.
Mayor Ramaiah stressed the importance of transferring Handri-Neeva water to the Gajuladinne project. Kurnool MLA Hafeez Khan inquired about the progress of intake well construction and pipeline works from Sunkesula to Kurnool.
Municipal commissioner Bhargava Teja explained plans to supply water to Kurnool town via a 21km open channel through the KC Canal and store water in the Munagalapadu summer storage. However, due to the low water level in recent days, they have been unable to transfer water to the summer storage tank using corporation motors.
He also said that, to mitigate the water crisis, two TMC of water is usually released from the Hospet Dam every year -- one TMC in October and one in November. This year, only the October release occurred. November release should be ensured.
He said that approximately 600 unauthorized motors were drawing water, further exacerbating the situation.
Superintending engineer of APSPDCL Umapati, DSP Rajasekhar, Kurnool RDO Hariprasad, agriculture official Varalakshmi, irrigation as also municipal staff were among those who participated in the meeting.
