HYDERABAD: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday directed officials to prepare a practical and scientific plan to ensure adequate irrigation for the Kharif season crops in the state. The minister said the plan must take into account current reservoir levels, inflows during this monsoon season, and the total ayacut that can be irrigated from each of the water sources. At a high-level meeting held at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, Uttam Kumar Reddy said a clear and coordinated water release strategy must be in place based on real-time data, crop patterns, and the geography of the ayacut areas. “Our primary objective is to ensure that no farmer suffers due to lack of water. The entire department must work proactively, with foresight and accountability,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.He said in the last Kharif and Rabi seasons, the irrigation and agriculture departments worked in close coordination that resulted in a record production of 281 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in Telangana, making the state the top paddy producer in the country. The same levels of coordination should be followed this year too to ensure optimal water use for the present crop season, he said.With monsoon flows coming into reservoirs, Uttam Kumar Reddy said constant attention is required to be prepared and precautions must be taken before and during periods of heavy rainfall. A close monitoring of dams, reservoirs, canals, and allied structures, and preventive measures to avoid breaches, flooding, or infrastructure damage, should be taken, he said. “Public safety and the structural integrity of all irrigation assets is non-negotiable. Officials must remain alert and responsive at all times,” he added. Reiterating the Congress government’s commitment to the farming community, the Minister said, “We are working with a clear focus: optimum use of water, safety of irrigation structures, and revival of long-pending infrastructure. Our priority is to ensure that this Kharif season is successful for every farmer in Telangana.”
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