Published Sep 02, 2023 | 12:49 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 02, 2023 | 12:49 PM
Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan at the review meeting to discuss the contingency plan for prolonged dry spell. (AndhrapradeshCM/ X)
On Friday, 1 September, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officials to create awareness among farmers on cultivating alternative crops in view of the prolonged dry spell.
He issued these guidelines during a review meeting on the continuing dry spell and the contingency plans to face it.
“Arrange meetings of farmers’ advisory councils immediately under the aegis of district collectors to discuss contingency plans and create awareness among farmers on alternative crops in view of the dry spell,” said Jagan Mohan, according to a press release.
The chief minister instructed officials to focus on e-cropping registrations, as this data is crucial for extending financial support and maintaining sufficient stocks of cattle fodder, including collecting cattle data from all the village secretariats.
Officials informed the chief minister that the state received only 314.6 mm rainfall on average against the normal of 419.6 mm between June and August, logging a deficit of 25 percent.
Konaseema, Kakinada, Nellore, West Godavari, NTR, Tirupati, Palnadu, Prakasam, Anantapuramu, Sri Satya Sai, Annamayya, Kadapa, Kurnool, and Nandyal districts witnessed lower than average rainfall.
వర్షాల కొరత నేపథ్యంలో రాష్ట్రంలో వ్యవసాయ రంగ పరిస్థితులు, కంటిన్జెన్సీ ప్రణాళికపై క్యాంపు కార్యాలయంలో సీఎం శ్రీ వైయస్.జగన్ సమీక్ష pic.twitter.com/aVO61ry0EH
— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) September 1, 2023
However, they noted that some districts can withstand the adverse effects of the shortfall as they have other irrigation sources.
Out of a total capacity of 1,174.58 thousand million cubic feet (TMC ft) across all major, medium, and minor reservoirs in the state, officials said that the present water level stood at 507.88 TMC ft.
They observed that enough water has been released in advance to meet the irrigation needs of the Krishna river delta, while those of the Godavari river delta are being met.
Further, the officials apprised Jagan Mohan that the demand for electricity has shot up by 18 percent compared to last year, due to the dry spell.
Despite the adverse power situation, Jagan Mohan said that the state government has spent ₹501 crore in March, ₹493 crore in April, ₹430 crore in May, ₹346 crore in June, ₹198 crore in July, and ₹966 crore in August to procure power at a higher price of ₹7.52 per unit in order to maintain power supply.
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