A.P. records 48% rainfall deficit; CM calls for recharging groundwater

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with sanitation workers at the Swachha Andhra-Swarna Andhra programme at Gudivada in Krishna district on Saturday | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said that the State has recorded a rainfall deficit of 48% so far this year due to the prevailing extreme weather conditions.The government had to provide water to the Krishna delta by diverting water from the Pattiseema project in the absence of adequate inflows to the Prakasam Barrage from the upstream. About 450 TMCFT of water was transferred from Pattiseema till date, resulting in the creation of wealth worth nearly ₹50,000 crore, the Chief Minister stated, reiterating the commitment to link the rivers from Vamsadhara to Penna and completing the construction of the Polavaram project as per schedule. Participating in the Swachha Andhra - Swarna Andhra programme at Gudivada in Krishna district on Saturday, Mr. Naidu laid the foundation for public health and municipal works worth ₹15,274 crore.He also released a coffee-table book on Operation Clean Sweep. Mr. Naidu stressed the need for adoption of net-zero lifestyle and carbon-neutral way of life and measures to harvest rainwater for recharging groundwater. Cleanliness does not mean just sweeping roads, the real goal should be to improve the environment and public health, he asserted, and said the State would become garbage - free by October 2 as areas filled with trash under the previous regime were being converted into clean spaces.He urged the people to segregate waste at their houses and mentioned that essentials worth ₹16 crore were provided through the Swachha Rathams at the time of waste collection. The Chief Minister said he discussed issues such as rising shrimp and feed prices with the Centre and promised to protect the region’s aquaculture industry. He pointed out that electricity was being provided to the sector at ₹1.50 per unit. He advised the farmers to focus on traceability and certification to increase production and improve the quality of their produce. Published - July 18, 2026 06:54 pm IST