YSRCP leader criticises government’s response to El Nino crisis in Anantapur

YSRCP Anantapur district president Anantha Venkatarami Reddy has harshly criticized the state government's response to the ongoing El Nino crisis, claiming the administration has failed to implement necessary measures to mitigate its impact. Reddy stated that scientists now identify the phenomenon as a "Super El Niño," which will continue throughout the year, unlike the initial expectation that the impact would subside by August.

He warned that the undivided Anantapur district would face critical shortages of drinking water, irrigation water, and cattle fodder due to the crisis. Reduced crop cultivation during the previous Kharif season has already led to a scarcity of fodder, with haystacks non-existent in villages and livestock being transported to market yards.

Reddy noted that Anantapur district, the second in the country with the lowest rainfall, has previously experienced severe droughts, with conditions now threatening to worsen again. During the current Kharif season, Anantapur district recorded a rainfall deficit of 45%, while Sri Sathya Sai district experienced a 53% deficit. Crop cultivation in Anantapur district amounted to only 55% of the land, while it was 45% in Sri Sathya Sai district.

The crops that were sown during the Kharif season are now withering, and some areas report total crop failure due to the drought.

The district was expected to receive 27 tmcft of water from the Tungabhadra Dam, but reports reveal that only 16 tmcft will be allocated this year. Reddy highlighted that only 167 tmcft of water is currently available at the Srisailam reservoir, and authorities are failing to ensure adequate water supplies for the Rayalaseema region.

He alleged that while all ministers, MPs, and MLAs from the undivided Anantapur district belong to the ruling party, no attention is being paid to the water crisis or the state of the crops. Reddy accused Rayalaseema of facing a difficult situation while Telangana was diverting water. He warned that if the current situation at Srisailam persists, the reservoir will run dry in just 10 days and urged public representatives from the undivided Anantapur district to meet the Chief Minister and demand the release of more water for Rayalaseema.