Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Minister Urges Careful Crop Planning Amid Rainfall Deficit
Rainfall has been lower than expected, so farmers are being asked to plan carefully.
Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said farmers should not assume that heavy rain will arrive soon.
They should choose crops that can grow with water they can depend on.
Some reservoirs are receiving less water than usual.
The government is checking reservoir levels and inflows before releasing water.
It wants to help farmers where reliable irrigation water is available.
At the same time, it must save enough water for people to drink.
The situation could become more difficult if September and October also have deficient rainfall.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy urged farmers to plan crops based on assured water availability.
He warned that the rainfall deficit could worsen if September and October receive less rain than projected.
The government is monitoring rainfall, reservoir levels and inflows before deciding on water releases.
Reduced inflows have affected major reservoirs, including Nagarjuna Sagar.
Officials aim to balance irrigation needs with sufficient drinking-water supplies through summer and until the next monsoon.
- Who
- Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy advised farmers and outlined the government’s water-management approach.
- What
- Farmers were urged to plan crops cautiously because of a continuing rainfall deficit and reduced reservoir inflows.
- When
- During the remaining monsoon period, with possible deficient rainfall in September and October and water needs continuing through the summer until the next monsoon.
- Where
- In the state, including areas dependent on major reservoirs such as Nagarjuna Sagar; the minister’s remarks were reported from Hyderabad.
- Why
- To ensure available water is used prudently for irrigation while preserving sufficient supplies for drinking purposes.
- Official
- N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister
- Main concern
- Continuing rainfall deficit
- Rainfall outlook
- Deficient rainfall was projected for September and October
- Affected reservoir
- Nagarjuna Sagar was among the major reservoirs affected by reduced inflows
- Government monitoring
- Rainfall, reservoir levels and inflows
- Water-release basis
- Actual usable storage and realistic assessments of likely inflows
- Planning advice
- Farmers should select crops based on assured water availability