Farmers across Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh are confronting a severe irrigation emergency. The crisis stems not from a lack of groundwater, but from a sharp reduction in the supply of surface water released through the crucial Nagarjuna Sagar right canal. This shortage is now threatening standing crops spread over thousands of acres.
The Root of the Water Shortage
According to the established agreement between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) allocated 132 tmc ft of water for the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal. Official data indicates that 106 tmc ft has already been utilised. However, Prakasam district, which holds an ayacut entitlement of 52 tmc ft, has so far received a mere 29.50 tmc ft. This leaves a massive and alarming deficit.
Water resources officials point to a specific cause for the shortfall reaching Prakasam. They report that higher drawal of canal water in upstream areas, particularly in Palnadu district, has resulted in critically inadequate flows reaching the tailend regions of Prakasam. This inequitable distribution has left fields parched and crops wilting in several mandals, with farmers having few options to bridge the gap.
Immediate Threat to Crops and Livelihoods
The situation on the ground is dire. District officials from the water resources and agriculture departments estimate that at least another 20 tmc ft of water is required immediately to protect the standing crops across the Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal (NSRC) ayacut in Prakasam. Water-intensive crops like paddy are especially vulnerable. Farmers are warning that any further delay in securing water releases will translate into catastrophic financial losses.
The path to a solution is fraught with complexity. The available water stock itself is dwindling fast. Reports indicate that only around 26 tmc ft of water remains in the Nagarjuna Sagar project from Andhra Pradesh's allocated quota. With competing demands and limited storage, the possibility of arranging additional releases has narrowed considerably, raising urgent questions about how the remaining water will be prioritised.
Calls for Action and Equitable Distribution
In response to the escalating crisis, farmers' groups have made urgent appeals to the state government. They are demanding that the authorities:
- Take up the issue with the KRMB on a priority basis.
- Ensure equitable distribution of canal water to tailend districts like Prakasam.
- Implement transparent regulation of canal drawals.
- Enforce strict monitoring to prevent excess usage in upstream regions.
Agriculture officials have echoed these concerns, cautioning that failure to secure timely water releases could lead to widespread crop damage. This would severely affect farm incomes and destabilise rural livelihoods across Prakasam district. They stress the critical need for coordinated water management between state irrigation authorities and district administrations to ensure the efficient utilisation of every available drop.
With the current cropping season at a critical juncture, timely governmental intervention is not just important—it is crucial to avert large-scale agricultural devastation in the district.
