El Niño Fears Drive Focus on Water Security, Minister Directs Officials

Amid concerns over the potential impact of El Niño on water availability, Minister for Endowments and in-charge of Prakasam and Markapuram districts, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, has directed officials to take planned action to prevent drinking water and irrigation shortages. The directive was issued during a District Review Committee (DRC) meeting held at Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by State Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Social Welfare Minister Dr. Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, MP Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Prakasam Collector P. Raja Babu, Markapuram Collector Vijaya Sunitha, Superintendent of Police V. Harshavardhan Raju, and other officials and MLAs from both districts.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Reddy said the government is developing Markapuram district into a horticulture hub and providing farmers with necessary equipment and sprinkler systems. He emphasised that the focus is on ensuring that the public benefits from the Veligonda project. He also announced that future DRC meetings will be held separately for the two districts.

Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar expressed concern that under current El Niño conditions, draining water from tanks for fishing is inappropriate and leads to a decline in groundwater levels in nearby villages. He also noted that roads dug up to lay drinking water pipelines are not being properly restored, and urged that contractors be held responsible for repairs.

Social Welfare Minister Dr. Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy highlighted the need for proactive action by the Forest Department to transfer land to the Revenue Department for industrial use. He also raised a public concern: near Bapuji Colony, close to East Naidupalem, residents are forced to travel about three kilometres to cross the national highway, and called for immediate measures to address the issue.