Godavari water to be released by late May for Kharif operations

Undivided East Godavari Zilla Parishad Chairman Vipparthi Venugopal and Kakinada District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad speaking at the Zilla Parishad General Body meeting in Kakinada city on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT The Godavari river water is expected to be released by end of May, guaranteeing water for Kharif operations across the length and breadth of the Godavari Delta. The zilla parishad members of the undivided East Godavari district on Tuesday sought clarity from the Water Resources authorities on the scheduled time of the release of the Godavari water to begin Kharif operations.  Rajya Sabha MP Pilli Subhashchandra Bose and MLAs Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy, Vegolla Jogeswara Rao, Pantham Nanaji stressed the need for an action plan to ensure uninterrupted irrigation facilities for the Kharif operations-2026-27.  The Water Resources authorities told the Zilla Parishad members that the Godavari water is expected to reach the tail-end area of the existing irrigation systems by early June. Farmers have been advised to prepare for raising paddy nurseries from early June. The Zilla Parishad General Body, chaired by its chairman Vipparthi Venugopal, on Tuesday passed a resolution urging the State government to consider the undivided East Godavari district as a single unit for paddy procurement, to address the challenges in the paddy procurement.  Mr. Subhash Chandrabose alleged that farmers in Polavaram and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts face various challenges during the paddy procurement drive due to the inadequate number of rice mills.  Undivided East Godavari District Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha chairman B. Eswara Raju Varma appealed to the Zilla Parishad General Body to transfer ₹50 crore library cess collected by the civic bodies and local bodies.  Kakinada District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, District Revenue officers of the districts of Polavaram, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari and other officials were present. Published - May 12, 2026 09:10 pm IST