Water level falls at Prakasam barrage

Krishna delta farmers are worried as the irrigation officials are planning to close the canals within three days as the water level at Prakasam barrage in Vijayawada came down to 11.6 feet. If the water level further falls, the power generation at Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station would be affected.

As the government earlier ordered release of 15 TMC feet of water to raise paddy seed-beds in Krishna delta, the officials released 3,000 cusecs of water daily to Krishna eastern delta. Rains in catchment area also helped the officials to release water to the delta and farmers raised paddy nurseries using the water.

Speaking to this newspaper, irrigation superintending engineer Mr K.L. Narasimha Murthy said that they would not be able to release water to the canals for more than three or four days in the absence of fresh inflows and rainfall in the catchment area.

Meanwhile, farmers who lost rabi crop due to crop holiday declared by the government are in a hurry to raise paddy nurseries pinning hope on water supply from canals for the kharif season.

According to officials of the agricultural department, paddy transplantation was completed in 32,000 acres against 6.5 lakh acres in the district. The existing water in canals would be sufficient till the month-end and the paddy crop would be damaged if there is no rainfall and water supply through canals.

Akhila Bharata Kisan Sabha vice-president Mr Kolli Nageswara Rao said that the government should settle the issue by convening am all-party meeting and initiate steps to supply water for Krishna delta. He said the paddy transplantation should take place in Krishna delta in July and under Nagarjunasagar ayacut in August.

AP Rytanga Samakhya president Mr Yerneni Nagendranath said the Samkhya would move the High Court for the release of water to Krishna delta.

Telugu Desam district president and Mylavaram MLA Mr Devineni Uma-maheswara Rao demanded release of water from Srisailam to maintain 510 feet water level at Nagarjunasagar and to release water to Krishna delta.