Although 40 days have passed since the kharif season began, sowing activity and paddy transplantation are still very dull, with deficient rainfall and almost empty reservoirs. As against the net sowing area of over 4.25 lakh acres, so far seeds were sown only in 78,000 acres.
Sowing was done in just 17 per cent of the land compared to at least 50 per cent by this time every year. Paddy transplantation is still weak as it was done in not more than 6,000 acres as against the normal area of 2 lakh acres. Last year paddy was transplanted in over 2.53 lakh acres, according to official figures.
Farmers are very much worried with rains playing truant and tanks getting dry. Even if they are prepared to sow Irrigated Dry (ID) crops such as maize, jowar, soya and other crops the monsoon is not cooperating. Many farmers kept their fields barren waiting for sufficient rainfall to start activity.
Using borewells
Normally, under Nizamsagar ayacut in Bodhan, Varni, Rudrur and Kotagiri farmers undertake paddy transplantation earlier than the other areas as they raise seedlings under borewells. Water would be released from the project if it gets filled after the transplantation.
Contrary to the normal conditions this time the NSP has gone totally dry dashing the hopes of farmers. Literally there is no water in the project and whatever quantity is there would not be sufficient even for drinking water purposes. So also the condition under Sriramsagar Project.
As on date just 5.407 tmcf at 1,048.50 ft is available in the reservoir as against its full capacity of 90 tmcf at 1,091 ft FRL. This day last year 11.803 tmcf at 1,058.30 ft was available. With the water being almost at dead storage level (5tmcf) authorities are worried about the supply even for drinking purposes.
The inflows in the project is nil and the project did not get water though it is reported that rain lashed some places in Maharashtra upstream the Godavari river.
