Don’t grow paddy this kharif, Andhra Pradesh tells Krishna delta farmers amid crunching water

A farmer weeds his crop. Krishna delta farmers have been advised to start growing dryland crops that are less water intensive this kharif. | Photo credit: RAVIKUMAR NARABOLI

The Andhra Pradesh government has appealed to farmers in the Krishna Delta not to start paddy paddy cultivation during the kharif season, citing unprecedented water shortages caused by delayed and insufficient rainfall under the influence of Super El Niño-like weather.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday (July 24, 2026), Chief Engineer (Irrigation) K. Narasimha Murthy said water storage in Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs on the Krishna had fallen to critically low levels as monsoon rains did not come on time. He said there are still around 50 TMC loose stocks in the upstream reservoirs, including Almatti, Narayanpur and Jurala, indicating that substantial inflows to the downstream reservoirs are yet to take place. Under the prevailing conditions, he said, all the tributaries reaching Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar would have to have top priority for drinking water.

Chief Engineer (Irrigation) K. Narasimha Murthy says flows in the Krishna and Godavari are abnormally low this year and available water is being put first for drinking water needs.

Video: KVS Giri pic.twitter.com/Ggs01hqjXo

— The Hindu – Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) July 24, 2026

Although the Pulichintala reservoir holds around 29 TMC of water, only about 25 TMC is usable. If rainfall uncertainty continues, this water may need to be conserved to meet drinking water needs until June 2027, he said.

To meet the drinking water needs of the Krishna delta, the government diverts water from the Godavari through the Polavaram Right Main Canal using the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme. However, inflows into the Godavari have also declined sharply, limiting the operation of the Pattiseema pumping system. All 24 pumps at Pattiseema cannot be operated due to reduced river flows. Last week it was necessary to top up the water from the Siler, a measure that has never been required in the past. While the Pattiseema pumps used to get enough water for 100 to 120 days every season, the current situation is expected to limit the availability to around 60 to 70 days, said Mr. Narasimha Murthy, adding, “Water supply to the Godavari delta ayacut remains the top priority before diverting water to other areas.”

With the declining inflow of the Godavari, only 15 pumps are functioning at Pattiseema, releasing around 1,000 cusecs into the right main channel of Polavaram.

Mr. Narasimha expressed concern that some farmers along the Polavaram Right Main Canal were pumping water through unauthorized pumps, reducing the amount entering the Krishna delta canal system. This, officials said, affected canal flows needed to supply drinking water.

He expressed concern that some farmers along the Polavaram Right Main Canal were drawing water through unauthorized pumps, thereby reducing the amount entering the Krishna delta canal system. This, officials said, affected canal flows needed to supply drinking water.

Mr. Narasimha warned that even if farmers were now using water from Pattiseema to grow paddy nurseries, they could face serious losses if Godavari inflows continue to decline and pumping is suspended in the coming weeks. If Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar received sufficient inflow beyond the drinking water requirements, the agriculture and water resources department would jointly prepare a scientific plan for kharif cultivation, Mr. Narasimha said.

Mr. Narasimha sought the cooperation of the farmers and asked them not to venture into rice cultivation under the present circumstances. He warned that without adequate reservoir storage and if rainfall remains deficient, farmers risk losing their entire investment.

Farmers in the Krishna Delta have instead been advised to opt for dryland crops with lower water requirements whenever possible until the water situation improves, he added.

Published – 24 Jul 2026 12:50 IST