3 weeks ago
Durgesh: Prioritise drinking water, use irrigation wisely amid drought
A place called Guntur in India is having a very dry time because of something called El Nino, which changes weather all over the world.
Because it is so dry, there is not much water to go around.
A minister named Kandula Durgesh called a meeting with other leaders to talk about the water.
He said that people need drinking water first, before water is used for farms.
Water for farms should only be given out after checking there is enough drinking water.
He also told officials to plan ahead and look for extra water from projects like Pulichintala and Pattiseema.
Durgesh said farmers should sign up for a special system called e-crop registration.
This helps them get insurance money if their crops are harmed by the dry weather.
Another minister, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, said it is important to check how much water is available.
Everyone agreed to work together to help farmers as much as possible.
Guntur district in-charge minister Kandula Durgesh directed officials to ensure judicious use of limited irrigation water amid El Nino-induced drought conditions.
Durgesh said drinking water needs must be prioritised, with irrigation water released only after assessing availability.
Officials were asked to explore water from the Pulichintala project and supplying the delta region via Pattiseema when Godavari inflows improve.
Farmers were urged to complete e-crop registration and enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to access crop insurance benefits against drought losses.
The irrigation advisory board decided agriculture and irrigation departments will coordinate to assess water availability and minimise drought impact.
- Who
- Guntur district in-charge minister Kandula Durgesh, Union minister of state for rural development Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, and district officials
- What
- Officials were directed to ensure judicious use of irrigation water and prioritise drinking water needs amid drought
- Where
- Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, at the Collectorate's Sankaran Hall
- When
- Saturday, at the Guntur district irrigation advisory board meeting
- Why
- El Nino-induced drought conditions have made water resources limited
Key facts
- Event
- Guntur district irrigation advisory board meeting
- Meeting venue
- Collectorate's Sankaran Hall
- Key directive
- Prioritise drinking water needs over irrigation water release
- Water sources considered
- Pulichintala project; Pattiseema for delta region when Godavari inflows improve
- Farmer requirement
- Complete e-crop registration and enrol in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
- Department coordination
- Agriculture and irrigation departments to assess water availability and farmers' problems
- Cause
- El Nino-induced drought conditions











