Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Irrigation Board Prioritises Drinking Water Amid Reservoir Shortages
Water is scarce in reservoirs in Anantapur district.
Officials decided that drinking water should come before farming needs.
They approved water for some crops that use less water.
Farmers were asked not to plant paddy or chilli because these crops need a lot of water.
About 10.32 TMC feet of water is currently available.
Most of the proposed allocation will go to drinking water.
Officials want the Tungabhadra Dam supply to last until November 10.
They may ask Karnataka to release water for another 10 to 15 days.
The government plans to explain the situation to farmers rather than force them to change crops.
The Irrigation Advisory Board allocated 8 TMC feet for irrigated dry crops across 40,000 acres under the Tungabhadra High Level Main Canal.
Farmers were advised not to grow water-intensive paddy and chilli crops this year because of limited supplies.
Officials said drinking water reserves must be maintained through July 31, 2027, with Srisailam water reserved for drinking purposes.
An estimated 10.32 TMC feet is available, with 6.3 TMC proposed for drinking water and 4.02 TMC for irrigation.
Rainfall deficits of 55% in July and 70% in August left local water sources largely unreplenished.
- Who
- The Irrigation Advisory Board, AP minister Payyavula Keshav, district officials, and farmers in Anantapur district.
- What
- The board set water allocations, prioritised drinking water, and advised against cultivating paddy and chilli.
- When
- The decision was announced at a Tuesday meeting; officials were instructed to preserve supplies until July 31, 2027, and use Tungabhadra water through November 10.
- Where
- At the Anantapur collectorate and across areas supplied by the Tungabhadra High Level Main Canal and related schemes.
- Why
- Reservoir supplies are limited after major rainfall deficits in July and August, leaving local water sources largely unreplenished.
- Available water
- An estimated 10.32 TMC feet is currently available.
- Drinking-water proposal
- 6.3 TMC feet: 3 TMC for PABR, 2.4 TMC for MPR, 0.4 TMC for HLMC, and 0.5 TMC for Guntakal Branch Canal.
- Irrigation proposal
- 4.02 TMC feet was proposed for irrigation; separately, the board allocated 8 TMC feet for irrigated dry crops covering 40,000 acres.
- Crop advisory
- Farmers were advised not to cultivate paddy and chilli this year.
- Water-use plan
- Officials were directed to prepare and implement an 80-day water utilisation plan.
- Rainfall deficits
- July rainfall was 55% below normal and August rainfall was 70% below normal, according to the collector.
- Infrastructure work
- All 33 Tungabhadra Dam gates were replaced in one season, and eight HLC bridges were reconstructed at a cost of ₹30–35 crore.