PNS|Vijayawada
The Water Resources Department (WRD) is preparing to release water into the Krishna Delta canals —including the Krishna Eastern and Western Delta — by June 20 to facilitate the commencement of Kharif agricultural operations across the region. The Kharif season is expected to begin in the first week of June.
This move is part of a coordinated effort to meet the irrigation needs of farmers in the erstwhile Krishna and Guntur districts, as well as parts of Prakasam and West Godavari, where lakhs of acres of fertile farmland rely on water from the Prakasam Barrage and its extensive canal network.
Although the department typically releases water by 10 or 12 June for both irrigation and drinking purposes, this year’s schedule may be delayed by a week or two, despite adequate storage in the Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Pulichintala reservoirs on the Krishna River.
At a recent meeting of the Krishna District Irrigation Advisory Board (IAB), chaired by District Collector D.K. Balaji, WRD officials stated their intention to begin releasing water by June 10 to support seedbed preparation.
However, local MLAs expressed concern over pending canal repair works.
Officials responded that desiltation, weed removal, and regulator inspections are nearing completion. Final checks are underway to ensure uninterrupted water flow from the barrage into the main and branch canals. These works will be completed within 10 days, after which water will be released.
The Krishna Delta System — one of India’s oldest irrigation networks — caters to more than 13.07 lakh acres across Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Prakasam, and Eluru districts.
Timely water release is critical for the commencement of paddy nursery operations, the main crop in the region.
R. Mohana Rao, Superintending Engineer of the Vijayawada Irrigation Circle, said: “We are closely monitoring inflows and storage levels. Once desiltation and weed removal are complete, water will be released into the Krishna Delta canals by June 20.”
Speaking to The Pioneer, Mohana Rao also appealed to farmers to use water judiciously and adhere to cropping patterns advised by the Agriculture Department. He further urged Gram Panchayats to fill drinking water tanks using available irrigation sources to prevent shortages in villages.
Meanwhile, farmers across the delta have welcomed the announcement, hoping it will ensure a smooth Kharif season without delays in transplantation.
