Nellore IAB allocates 41 tmcft water for over 3 lakh acres in Rabi season

Approval granted for 41 tmc water allocation for Rabi season, emphasizing planned usage and irrigation infrastructure development.

With the approval of all the local MLAs and Water Users Associations’ presidents, a resolution was passed to allocate 41 tmcft of water for over 3 lakh acres for the second crop in Rabi season, Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said during Irrigation Advisory Board (IAB) meeting chaired by SPSR Nellore district Collector O. Anand at Z.P. Conference hall on Thursday.

“Water from Somasila reservoir will be released to the crop canals from May 5. During these three months, irrigation officials will work with the Water Users Associations’ presidents to provide water to the farmers in a proper manner,” the Minister said, congratulating the newly-elected presidents of the Water Users Associations.

“The district currently has a storage capacity of 52.653 tmcft of water in Somasila reservoir, 3.615 tmcft of water in Kanigiri and Sarvepalli reservoirs. About 43.768 tmcft of water is available, excluding 7,500 tmcft of dead storage, 1,500 tmcft of water vapour, and 3,500 tmcft for drinking water needs of the people in Nellore city limits, Kavali, Allur, Atmakur and other towns,” he said.

The Minister urged everyone to cooperate in using water in a planned manner, using approximately 36 tmcft of water for Rabi crop irrigation needs and storing 10 tmcft of water for future needs and the upcoming Kharif crop. Based on this water availability, the authorities have proposed an allocation of 43.42 tmcft of water for a total area of 3.69 lakh acres.

He said that the government has released ₹18 crore for major and minor irrigation works in the district and advised the officials to take up the works on priority basis as per the suggestions of the MLAs of the respective constituencies and the presidents of the Water Users Associations. Desilting of minor irrigation canals must be taken up through the employment guarantee scheme, the Minister added.