Konaseema crop holiday puts spotlight on water crisis

KIRANMAI TUTIKA  I AMARAVATI

A crop holiday declared by nearly 200 villages in Konaseema has highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s growing water crisis, as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu cautioned farmers in water-stressed areas against paddy cultivation and advised them to shift to drought-resilient and horticultural crops amid an expected El Niño-driven rainfall deficit.

Farmers of Thadikona village in Allavaram mandal, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, have decided against cultivating paddy on around 189 acres, citing prolonged inaction over the Peekaleru irrigation drain. They allege that encroachments, silt accumulation and inadequate widening and desilting have restricted water flow, leaving fields vulnerable to flooding.

Farmers have also complained of saline-water seepage from nearby aquaculture ponds. They erected banners on August 3 seeking immediate government intervention and had not begun Kharif cultivation by August 4.

District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar deputed a multi-departmental team led by District Agriculture Officer M.V. Rama Rao. Officials from Agriculture, Aquaculture, Water Resources and Revenue departments inspected the area and found silt deposits, drain blockages and seepage from adjoining aquaculture ponds.

Farmers demanded a fresh revenue and irrigation survey, restoration and widening of Peekaleru and action against unauthorised aquaculture.

Meanwhile, Naidu told the Assembly that Andhra Pradesh could face severe rainfall deficiency due to El Niño, with water availability under pressure in the Krishna and Godavari basins. He said the State could receive only 557 mm rainfall between June and December 2026 against a normal 867 mm, while groundwater levels were declining. Naidu stressed that drinking water must receive priority, followed by industrial and agricultural needs. The government plans a three-year strategy involving efficient water management, micro-irrigation, drought-resilient crops, crop insurance and conservation.