Godavari Delta Paddy Farmers Hit by El Nino, Water Shortage Amid Canal Repairs
Paddy farmers in the Central Godavari delta, located in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, are facing a challenging Kharif season due to scant rainfall associated with the El Nino weather pattern. Additionally, ongoing civil works in several canals have disrupted the supply of irrigation water, exacerbating the situation.
Although nearly 2,500 cusecs of Godavari water has been released into the Central Delta, it has reportedly not reached farmers because the flow was halted due to construction activities in various canals. The Central Delta, spread across Konaseema district, has over 1.13 lakh acres under paddy cultivation in the Kharif season.
District Agriculture Officer M. Venkata Rama Rao stated, “Paddy nurseries have been raised in 89% of the total area in the Central Delta. By July 14, only 18% of the sowing activity has been completed. In the tail-end area of the Central Delta canal system, more than 8,321 acres are under severe water stress.” He added that paddy nurseries in the mandals of Polavaram, Malkipuram, Sakinetipalli, K. Gangavaram, Allavaram, and Uppalaguptam are drying out due to the lack of rain and irrigation facilities.
On Tuesday, farmers apprised District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar of the condition of paddy nurseries and difficulties in accessing irrigation water. In response, Mr. Mahesh Kumar held talks with concerned officials and directed them to ensure the free flow of irrigation water through locks and canals.
In the Eastern Delta, Kakinada District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad announced in a press conference on Tuesday that water would be released from the Yeleru reservoir on July 19, providing water for 53,000 acres in Kakinada district. He also said that at least 4,900 cusecs of water released from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram would be diverted to the Pithapuram Branch Canal at Samarlakota to speed up Kharif operations across Kakinada district by July 16.
In the Western Delta, West Godavari District Collector Chadalavada Nagarani on Tuesday stated that licenses of 20 fertilizer dealers had been suspended for selling urea in the black market. Inquiries against 20 other fertilizer traders across the district are underway. Ms. Nagarani said, “At least 10,555 metric tonnes of urea are currently available in West Godavari district, while 3,322 MT of urea had already been supplied by early June.” The total urea required for the Kharif season in West Godavari district is over 17,390 MT. In Kharif 2026-27, the total area under paddy is 2.25 lakh acres, and 25,000 acres are under horticulture.
