VIJAYAWADA: Rain lashing the Rayalseema region has begun filling minor irrigation tanks and other water bodies. Check dams and farm ponds constructed as part of the Neeru Pragathi scheme in the region to retain rainwater have finally become useful. Around 7,530 check dams, two lakh farm ponds and several thousand rain harvesting pits have collected a total 29,13 TMC of water.
Officials say the water will help recharge the groundwater level that had depleted abnormally during summer. The average groundwater level in the region as on October 13 was 12.84 metres below ground level, which is far better than 14.72 metres below ground level on the same day last year. Groundwater levels in Anantapur district, for the first time in recent months, were recorded less than 20 metres. “If not for the check dams and farm ponds, the rain water would have flowed away and the region would have not benefited much,” a TDP leader pointed out.
According to Rayalaseema Water Resources Chief Engineer K Varadaraju, the rains have benefited major and minor irrigation projects in Anantapur, which was the worst drought-affected district in the entire State. “We are expecting the water in the projects to be sufficient to cater to the drinking water needs and partly to the irrigation needs of the region in the next several months,” he said.Puttaparthi MLA Palle Raghunatha Reddy said in the last one decade, it was first time water could be stored in the small water bodies in the region.