Godavari goes dry
By T Anjaiah | THE HANS INDIA |
Mar 29,2016 , 03:07 AM IST
Adilabad:
The mighty Godavari, which is a perennial water source for Telangana,
looks like a desert now affecting the entire economy in the region. The
river which enters Nizamabad first, flows through Adilabad and other
districts in Telangana ushering in prosperity all along its course.
According to irrigation experts, the Godavari river has become totally
dry for the first time in a half a century. This is largely attributed
to prolonged dry spell and lack of rainfall in its catchment areas.
- First time in half a century
- Hits agrarian economy in many dists
- Motor vehicles ply across the dry river bed
People of villages on the banks are
reaching the other side crossing the dry river bed in vehicles. An RTC
bus service is also being run from Jagityal to Kadam via the empty
river. The flourishing agriculture between Basara and Gudem has become a
thing of the past.
Farmers in the area used to raise
three crops a year till recently utilising the river water. Paddy, maize
and chilli are the main crops. They never experienced irrigation
problem. Hundreds of villages in Nizamabad and Adilabad are dependent on
the perennial river for their drinking water needs. Groundwater is also
aplenty in the region. Now, the situation is completely different.
Speaking to The Hans India, Rajanna, a
farmer of Bela, said: ``I used to cultivate eight acres of land when
there was plenty of water in the river. I raised crop in half acre of
land only this season. I am not sure of reaping a good harvest as the
crop is withering due to lack of irrigation water. I never saw the
mighty Godavari river empty in the past. The dried up river has resulted
in acute drought in the area.’’
Another farmer Swamy echoed the same
view, highlighting the plight of farmers who are totally dependent on
the river for irrigation.Mallesh of another village said: ``There is
acute scarcity of drinking water in the area. Lack of water in the river
has hit the livestock badly. They do not have sufficient green grass on
the river banks. Non-availability of clean drinking water for livestock
has become a major problem.’’
Mahesh, a shepherd, said: ``I sold
some of my sheep unable to feed them properly. Shepherds are forced to
trek long distances along with their herds to find green pastures. The
available grass is not sufficient to feed the total herd. Due to lack of
water in the river, livestock are falling sick after consuming
contaminated water found in pits.''
Washer men, boatmen and fishermen who
are continuing their age old professions by depending on the perennial
river, have been rendered jobless. Agricultural labourers have migrated
to nearby towns in search of livelihood. There is no water for pilgrims
visiting the shrines on the banks of Godavari to take a holy dip.
All the people living in the region
are affected in one way or the other due to drying up of the mighty
river. If the region fails to receive good monsoon in the ensuing
season, the whole economy will be further affected. An irrigation expert
is of the view that construction of a barrage across the river at
Bellala will help overcome this kind of water crisis in future.
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