Farmers Struggle with Water Shortages Due to Warabandi System
Farmers in different mandals of Khammam district are facing difficulties due to the irrigation department’s use of warabandi, a system that distributes water in cycles. They claim that this method is not providing enough water for their crops.
Farmers at the tail-end of the Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) canals, both major and minor, say their fields are drying up. With summer approaching, they fear the situation will worsen as rabi crops are already wilting due to insufficient irrigation.
According to Telangana Rythu Sangham district secretary Bonthu Rambabu, more than 2,500 acres of farmland in areas like Yerrupalem, Kallur, Bonakal, Chintakani, Penuballi, and Tallada are suffering from water shortages. He urged irrigation officials to relax the warabandi system. Currently, water is released once every two weeks, but he suggested that water should be supplied continuously for two weeks and then paused for one week to help crops survive.
Another major challenge for farmers is the decreasing water levels in wells, tanks, and ponds. Rambabu emphasized that Sagar water should be used to fill the district’s tanks and ponds. He also called for better communication with farmers about measures to reduce water wastage.
The Rapalle main canal has dried up completely, forcing farmers to transport water from distant places using oil engines. This additional expense is putting more financial pressure on them. Rambabu also noted that more land has been cultivated this rabi season compared to the previous one. Since maize crops are now in the seed-bearing stage, they require more water, and the rising heat will only increase this demand.
Recently, Sangham leaders met with Ramesh Babu, the Chief Engineer of the irrigation department, requesting urgent action to modify the warabandi system.
In addition to local issues, Rambabu highlighted the ongoing water-sharing conflict between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in the Krishna basin. He stressed the need for a quick and peaceful resolution, warning that allowing the central government to intervene could make the situation more complicated.
