E-Paper
Andhra CM directs officials to make Jaladhara-Jalaharathi continuous programme
Andhra CM directs officials to make Jaladhara-Jalaharathi continuous programme
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to make the Jaladhara-Jalaharathi programme a continuous initiative and plan to ensure there is no drinking water shortage, amid projections of rainfall being 39 per cent below normal due to the El Niño phenomenon.
The chief minister reviewed the programme through a video conference and directed officials to focus on water conservation, drinking water supply and protection of standing crops, as the El Niño impact could be more severe than anticipated.
"We should make the Jaladhara-Jalaharathi programme a continuous initiative and plan to ensure there is no drinking water shortage, particularly in view of the forecast of 39 per cent lower rainfall than what is normal," Naidu was quoted as saying in a release issued on Sunday.
Officials informed the chief minister that 82,865 works have been identified under Jaladhara-Jalaharathi, of which 79,826 have been completed.
Works worth ₹3,409.3 crore consisting renovation of tanks and feeder channels, farm ponds and excavation of trenches, have been accorded sanction,
Normal rainfall meant 867 mm rainfall during June to December, but current estimates indicated that only 525 mm could be realised during the period this year, officials said, adding that rainfall could be 56 per cent deficient in August and that the impact of El Niño was already visible in reservoir storage.
Water availability in various basins across the state stood at 563.05 TMC, compared with 825.6 TMC during the same period last year. Officials also warned that groundwater levels were likely to decline further from August.
In view of the expected severe El Niño impact, Naidu directed officials to prepare firm plans for drinking water storage and supply.
He suggested storing water in reservoirs including Velugodu, Gorakallu, Owk, Jeedipalli and Cherlopalli for drinking water needs and making arrangements for water allocations through the Nagarjuna Sagar canals to meet drinking water requirements in various districts.
Naidu said the state was not receiving the expected rainfall despite floodwater reaching from upstream areas and directed officials to effectively utilise water flowing into projects and fill reservoirs to the maximum possible extent.
He asked officials to carefully utilise available water resources and groundwater, identify areas lacking adequate drinking water facilities and make alternative arrangements. He suggested keeping tankers ready in advance to supply water to areas that may face shortages.
The chief minister also directed officials to protect crops already under cultivation despite drought-like conditions. He asked them to supply water to crops according to their requirements and priorities and suggested promoting crops requiring less water in future.
Naidu also directed officials to ensure industries receive the water required even when availability declines. He called for widespread awareness among people on judicious water use and asked district collectors to play an active role while continuously monitoring the situation at the field level.
The Chief Minister directed officials to act to avoid fodder shortages due to drought-like conditions and ensure adequate fodder and drinking water for livestock.
He suggested establishing 'Gokulams' wherever necessary and preparing district-level action plans to ensure livestock do not face difficulties.
He said planning and coordinated efforts would help address potential problems and directed officials to work together to ensure people face no difficulties.
Naidu stressed that water conservation should be undertaken continuously and suggested identifying tanks and canals that remained without adequate water for a long time and taking measures to supply water to them.
He also suggested examining the feasibility of micro-basin connectivity to transfer water from areas with surplus water to regions facing shortages.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
