Andhra CM directs officials to make Jaladhara-Jalaharathi continuous programme amid drought fears

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to make the Jaladhara-Jalaharathi program a continuous initiative, emphasizing the need to prevent drinking water shortages. This directive comes amid projections of rainfall being 39% below normal due to the El Niño phenomenon, which could lead to more severe impacts than anticipated.

During a video conference, the chief minister reviewed the program and stressed the importance of water conservation, drinking water supply, and protecting standing crops. Officials informed him that out of 82,865 identified works under Jaladhara-Jalaharathi, 79,826 have been completed. Works worth ₹3,409.3 crore, including tank renovation and farm pond excavation, have been sanctioned.

Officials presented data indicating that normal rainfall is 867 mm between June and December, but current estimates suggest only 525 mm may be realized this year. Rainfall could be 56% deficient in August, and the impact of El Niño is already evident in reservoir storage levels. Water availability across the state stands at 563.05 TMC, a significant drop from 825.6 TMC during the same period last year. Groundwater levels are also expected to decline further from August.

In response to the anticipated El Niño impact, Naidu instructed officials to prepare concrete plans for drinking water storage and supply. He suggested storing water in reservoirs like Velugodu and Gorakallu and arranging allocations through Nagarjuna Sagar canals. He also urged officials to effectively utilize water flowing into projects and fill reservoirs to their maximum capacity, while carefully managing available resources and groundwater. Alternative arrangements, including keeping tankers ready, should be made for areas facing potential shortages. The chief minister also stressed the need to protect existing crops and promote water-efficient crops in the future, ensuring industries also receive necessary water allocations.

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We should make the Jaladhara-Jalaharathi programme a continuous initiative and plan to ensure there is no drinking water shortage, particularly in view of the forecast of 39 per cent lower rainfall than what is normal.