Amaravati, Sep 24 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed officials to utilise the current rainfall brought by the deep depression to fill all available water resources across the state.
The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam, bringing widespread rainfall over the past three days, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The rainfall has come as a relief for the state, which has been facing a significant rainfall deficit.
“Naidu directed officials to utilise the present rainwater to fill all available water resources across the state. He instructed officials to fill reservoirs in the Krishna and Godavari deltas as well as other water bodies in their respective areas,” a press release said, quoting the CM.
During a review meeting at Real Time Governance Society (RTGS), Naidu discussed the use of AI-based technology and data analytics, strategies to mitigate the impact of El Niño and the overall impact of rainfall across the state.
Officials informed him that groundwater levels had improved to some extent following the rains received over the past three days.
Around 11,000 cusecs of water were flowing into the Prakasam Barrage at Vijayawada from the Munneru and other catchment areas, the release said.
Naidu instructed officials to utilise inflows from the Godavari to fill the Yeleru Reservoir with 24 TMC of water. He directed that water be supplied through the Polavaram Left Canal to water bodies up to Anakapalli.
According to officials, heavy rainfall has been recorded in 16 districts, with Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Parvatipuram Manyam, Kakinada, the Godavari districts, Eluru, Krishna and NTR districts among those significantly affected.
Reviewing the rainfall, wind intensity, rising inflows into rivers, streams and reservoirs and the forecast for the coming days, Naidu directed the administration to remain alert, continuously monitor the situation and take advance precautionary measures wherever required.
The government expects heavy inflows into reservoirs in the Godavari basin, including those linked to the Sabari, Indravati, Yeleru, Tandava, Yerrakalva and Pampa rivers, as well as the Meghadrigadda reservoir, due to the continuing rains, the release said.
Inflows into Yeleru Reservoir are expected to reach up to 26,500 cusecs, Tandava 7,500 cusecs, Meghadrigadda 3,000 cusecs and Pampa 3,875 cusecs, it said.
Officials said inflows into reservoirs in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh were also expected to increase significantly in the coming days, while flows in the Nagavali and Vamsadhara basins were likely to rise due to the rainfall.
While climatic conditions such as El Niño cannot be changed, internal conditions can be improved to reduce their impact, Naidu said, adding that its effects could be mitigated to some extent.
Improving soil health, recommending alternative crops based on soil testing and promoting practices such as biochar and natural farming were among the measures he suggested.
Naidu directed officials to implement these measures on a pilot basis in the state and called for the use of technology to forecast the impact of El Niño in advance and provide necessary advisories to the agriculture sector.
Naidu noted that despite no increase in electricity tariffs, public satisfaction was declining due to deficiencies in services and stressed the need to focus on the quality of power supply.
With electricity consumption in the state standing at 287 million units, he directed officials to also ensure the availability of water required for power generation.
He directed officials to expand the use of AI Living Labs applications and data analytics across government departments.
(PTI News)
