Yasangi at stake for second consecutive year in 4 lakh acres under SRSP stage-II

The lack of water supplementation from KLIS is expected to have a devastating effect in over four lakh acres of Yasangi (Rabi) ayacut in the erstwhile Nalgonda, Khammam, and Warangal districts

Hyderabad: The prolonged closure of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) barrages has begun to take its toll on the SRSP Stage II ayacut. The lack of water supplementation from KLIS is expected to have a devastating effect in over four lakh acres of Yasangi (Rabi) ayacut in the erstwhile Nalgonda, Khammam, and Warangal districts.

Nearly two lakh acres of it, falling mainly in Tungathurthy, Suryapet, Kodad and Huzurnagar assembly constituencies in Nalgonda and Suryapet districts, will be bearing the brunt. It forms the tail-end of the SRSP Stage-II canal system. The system was receiving irrigation support for rabi only since 2018. The farmers in these parts of the SRSP command are a now a worried lot.

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But they find a glimmer of hope being part of the Irrigation Minister, N Uttam Kumar Reddy’s district. The Minister who has been representing Huzurgar, cannot afford to let down farmers in his own constituency. If Huzurnagar is getting water for Yasangi, rest is assured, they feel. The Irrigation Department is making rabi plans accordingly.

Last year, these areas suffered as all three KLIS barrages were emptied for structural investigations following issue with two of the pillars in Medigadda barrage. Unfortunately, the situation remains unchanged this year too, raising serious concerns about the fate of the Rabi farmers in entire SRSP stage II. Nearly two lakh acres of its ayacut is falling in Tungathurthy, Suryapet, Kodad and Huzurnagar assembly constituencies. They form the tail-end of the SRSP Stage-II canal system bearing the brunt of the deprival of irrigation support. Over 2.20 lakh acres of area can be irrigated under the project in Nalgonda district alone, depending on water availability. However, irrigation officials are highly sceptical about providing water to the Rabi ayacut in these areas. Despite uncertainties, the irrigation authorities have included Nalgonda district in the Rabi irrigation plan.

Before the closer of Medigadda barrage, the Thungathurty assembly constituency alone in Nalgonda district used to received water for 1.20 lakh acres of Yasangi ayacut. The area had never received water for Rabi crops for more than 17,000 acres before the SRSP was given supplementations from Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation scheme.

Irrigation officials believe that only part of the SRSP Stage I ayacut can be given water during Yasangi this year, and there was no scope for providing water to Stage II. Some six lakh acres if the SRSP stage I ayacut above the Lower Manair dam can be given water for the rabi crop. Stage-I ayacut below the LMD can also be treated as priority, but it has less chances. They made it clear that there would be no possibility of water allocation to SRSP stage II, though it was assured in principle as desired by the government.

If water is to be provided to Nalgonda, especially to meet the needs of farmers in Huzurnagar and Kodad, two key segments for the Congress government, the department must decide how to make it possible and at whose cost, quipped officials. A part of the SRSP stage I ayacut may have to forego the season for the sake of Huzurnagar and Kodad being represented by the irrigation minister, N Uttam Kumar Reddy and his wife, N Padmavathi respectively

• Irrigation for SRSP Stage II may not be possible sans support from Medigadda.
• Four lakh acres of SRSP stage II Rabi ayacut was receiving water since 2018
• Almost the entire RSP ayacut left barren during Yasangi in 2024
• Against all odds, irrigation officials are firm on giving water for Kodad and Huzurnagar