ONGOLE: Prakasam district is one of the worst drought-affected districts in Andhra Pradesh and even the members of the inter-ministerial central team led by Dr. B Rajender, that visited the drought-hit areas of the district a couple of days ago, said the situation is severe.
The groundwater in these parts, which are near about 50 percent of the total area in the district, groundwater is being overexploited.
As many as 1.65 lakh farmers have suffered crop losses, which are estimated to be around Rs 1,182 crore,” district collector V Vinay Chand said.
Dairy farmers are facing a shortage of fodder and water for their livestock.
“Most of the villages in our mandal are facing acute water scarcity.
We are afraid in coming days, we may need to use water sparsely and take bath thrice a week,” he said.
According to the district collector, the district registered 30.4 percent of deficit rainfall and water levels in 952 tanks have reduced.
“Water is being supplied to 280 habitations facing drinking water scarcity with the help of 422 tankers every day,” he said.
“We only pray that the situation improves in coming days and the migrations are checked,” Venkateswara Reddy of Markapuram said.
126 – Number of villages where groundwater is overexploited 98,563 MTs Net Fodder Shortage in the district 422 Number of tankers used for the supply of water to 280 habitations.