Poor water management aggravated drought situation in Andhra Pradesh, says YSRCP leader Sailajanath

YSRCP leader Sake Sailajanath. | Photo Credit: File Photo YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Sake Sailajanath has alleged that poor water management by the State government aggravated the drought situation in Rayalaseema and other parts of Andhra Pradesh.Addressing the media at the party central office at Tadepalli on Friday, Mr. Sailajanath alleged that the government had failed to release water through the Pothireddypadu regulator when the Srisailam reservoir had about 185 tmc ft of water at a level of 880 feet last month. The water could then have been diverted to the Telugu Ganga, Srisailam Right Branch Canal, K.C. Canal and reservoirs in Rayalaseema. The Srisailam level had since fallen to around 862 feet and that most reservoirs in the region were nearing dead storage,he said. Mr. Sailajanath alleged that the situation could not be attributed entirely to El Niño, and described it as a “Yellow Niño” caused by the government’s negligence. Though the government was aware of the threat in February, it failed to prepare an advance action plan, he alleged.He recalled that water had been released for protecting dry crops even in 2016, when Srisailam had only 73.6 tmc ft, and questioned the government’s handling of the present situation. He also alleged that poor quality works under the Handri-Neeva project prevented it from carrying even 3,000 cusecs, despite the government claiming to have spent ₹3,700 crore on the project.He claimed that orange, mango and banana orchards were drying up and that groundnut and red gram crops had withered in several areas. He demanded immediate water releases, adequate assistance for horticulture farmers and establishment of fodder distribution centres.Mr. Sailajanath also alleged that reduction of the Polavaram project’s height to 41.15 metres was tantamount to betrayal of the interests of North Andhra. Published - September 18, 2026 07:18 pm IST