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25 July 2026

Agricultural crisis in Andhra Pradesh

The topic provides a practical case study on water management, irrigation challenges, and cropping pattern adjustments in response to climate-induced water scarcity, which is useful context for GS3 and GS1 questions.

1 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • Andhra Pradesh government has advised farmers in the Krishna Delta to avoid paddy cultivation for the current kharif season due to water scarcity.
  • The crisis is attributed to delayed and deficient monsoon rains leading to critically low storage levels in Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs.
  • Upstream reservoirs (Almatti, Narayanpur, and Jurala) currently hold approximately 50 tmc ft of vacant storage capacity.
  • Pulichintala reservoir holds 29 tmc ft, with only 25 tmc ft considered utilisable; this is being conserved primarily for drinking water needs until June 2027.
  • The government is utilizing the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme to divert Godavari water via the Polavaram Right Main Canal to supplement Krishna Delta supplies.
  • Unauthorised pumping of canal water by farmers has been identified as a factor exacerbating downstream drinking water shortages.

Questions

  1. Discuss the challenges of water resource management in the Krishna Delta and the implications of prioritizing drinking water over agricultural requirements during hydrological stress. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Examine the role of inter-basin water transfer projects in mitigating regional agrarian distress caused by climate-induced monsoon variability. Illustrate with the context of the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following reservoirs is NOT mentioned as an upstream reservoir on the Krishna river in the context of the current water crisis in Andhra Pradesh?

  2. The Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme is designed to divert water from which river to the Krishna Delta?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-25/agricultural-crisis-in-andhra-pradesh