Taking the poor reserves in the projects with a serious note, the state government of Andhra Pradesh wants to make use of every available drop to manage the water crisis in the state. The government has directed district collectors of Palnadu, Guntur, Prakasam, and Bapatla to follow Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to save water to be released from Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) from Monday.

The state government specifically asked the district collectors to keep in mind that there is no scope for any further release of water until inflows are received into NSP after the onset of monsoon. The principal secretary of Irrigation and Panchayat Raj, Shashi Bhushan Kumar, urged the district collectors to save the entire quantum of water exclusively for drinking water needs in the respective districts.

To ensure efficient use of water, district collectors have been asked to constitute special teams to keep surveillance on the canals to prevent leakages and diversions. They have also been instructed to plug off all the off-takes of the canals before releasing water and remove any cross bunds obstructing the flows. Additionally, weed removal in the canal for smooth water flow and protection of vulnerable reaches have been emphasized.

The government has also called for suitable arrangements by the departments concerned, including the Rural Water Supply (RWS) department and urban local bodies, to tap water to their needs by way of pumping and diversions. Vigilance teams are to be formed to monitor water regulation round the clock soon after the release of water.

The measures aim to achieve the target of filling all water source points and ensuring that drinking water needs are met until the onset of the monsoon in June 2024. By prioritizing efficient water use and prevention of wastage, the government of Andhra Pradesh is taking proactive steps to address the water crisis in the state.