Amaravati, August 29: The YSR Congress Party has accused the Andhra Pradesh coalition government of failing to effectively address the severe drought in Rayalaseema. This failure has left farmers struggling with irrigation, drinking water, and fodder shortages.
YSR Congress leaders Anant Venkatarami Reddy and former minister Sake Sailajanath stated that Kharif crop cultivation has plummeted to just 39-40 percent. Groundwater levels have dropped by 12-20 meters, and milk production has seen a staggering 75 percent decline due to a lack of green fodder. They addressed the media at the YSRCP district office in Anantapur on Friday.
According to a statement released by the party, Anant Venkatarami Reddy emphasized that despite warnings about El Niño and insufficient rainfall, the government lacks any emergency plans. He pointed out that Telangana has released approximately 53 TMC of water from Srisailam for power generation, while Andhra Pradesh remains silent as the water crisis in Rayalaseema worsens.
He reminded everyone that the YSRCP government had previously paid around ₹8,600 crores in crop insurance premiums and ₹11,000 crores in input subsidies. Now, farmers are forced to pay insurance premiums for their withering crops due to the drought.
Sailajanath remarked that while electricity can be purchased, lost water cannot be restored. He warned that with water storage in Srisailam dwindling to about 160 TMC, the continuous release of water for power generation will lead to shortages in Rayalaseema projects and the Handri-Neeva system.
They demanded an immediate diversion of water from Srisailam to the Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva, drinking water systems, and other Rayalaseema projects, including a distribution of at least 30-40 TMC through Pothireddipadu.
The leaders urged the government to halt unnecessary water withdrawals for power generation, provide compensation to affected farmers, and urgently address the shortages of fodder and drinking water. They assured farmers that the YSRCP stands with them and warned that if the government fails to act, the party is prepared to escalate its protests, including demonstrations at the Srisailam project.
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