The latest spell of rain has though raised the hopes of farmers, the officials are not happy, and described it as a mere ‘drizzle’ not a ‘downpour’ as expected.
According to the irrigation officials, the rain did not help fill the tanks. They say the inflows were poor and expected a good rain soon.
The tanks dating back to Kakatiya era - ‘Ramappa’, ‘Laknavaram’ and others - have almost gone dry due to long dry spell. Following the recent rain, these tanks received water though not up to the mark, and seem promising to farmers and cattle in the ensuing summer.
Irrigation officials said the Ramappa tank which has a total storage capacity of 2.91 tmc presently has 1.21 tmc, Pakhal which has a storage capacity of 3.3 tmc presently has 1.22 tmc.
The Laknavaram tank which has a storage capacity of 2.13 tmc presently has 0.51 tmc and similarly Mulug Ghanpur tank that has a storage capacity of 1.10 tmc presently has 0.60 tmc.
Water resource expert Prof. M. Panduranga Rao explained that the long dry spell proved bad. ‘The flood in Godavari was attributed to high precipitation in Maharashtra. That is due to high discharge of water from Pranahita and Indravathi near Kaleswaram, he said.
These ancient tanks cater to the irrigation needs of the farmers around them. The Ramappa tank irrigates 1,968 hectares, Laknavaram 3,522 hectares, Mulug Ghanpur 1,213 hectares and Pakhal 5,272 hectares.
The inadequate rain did not contribute to run off into the reservoirs.
Agricultural scientist R. Uma Reddy, however, welcomed the latest spell stating that it helped save the standing cotton, maize and paddy crops.
“Whatever the inflows maybe, it would help recharge groundwater to certain extent and it will cater to drinking water needs of public and cattle in summer,” he opined.
