HLC Water Crisis: Singanamala Farmers Demand Immediate Irrigation Water Release

Farmers in Singanamala constituency have stepped up their demand for irrigation water, citing worsening drought conditions, falling groundwater levels and the threat to standing crops and fruit orchards. They have urged the government to ensure immediate water release to the tail-end areas of the High-Level Canal (HLC) system.

The farmers, led by constituency coordinator Dr. Sake Shailajanath, met the District Collector and submitted a memorandum containing nine demands. They sought water supply not only to the HLC tail-end ayacut but also to farmers dependent on the Tadipatri Branch Canal, MPR Dam and Subbarayasagar. Some farmers carried dried crops to the Collectorate to draw attention to the severity of the situation.

Shailajanath said HLC water has traditionally been supplied to the ayacut areas every year through the MPR Dam South Canal. However, uncertainty over this year's supply has triggered concern among farmers. He said the Irrigation Advisory Board (IAB) meeting had reportedly decided to provide water to select areas, including Kanekallu tank, HLMC and GBC ayacuts, while leaving out the MPR and Pulivendula Branch Canal ayacuts and connected tanks.

He questioned the basis for excluding farmers in Singanamala, Tadipatri and other areas under the MPR Dam and demanded that the government clarify why they should be denied irrigation water.

According to Shailajanath, the situation has become more difficult as adequate rainfall has not arrived even with September underway. Borewells are drying up, making cultivation increasingly difficult in rain-dependent areas. Fruit growers are particularly worried as declining groundwater reserves threaten established orchards.

Farmers in the region, which is developing as a horticulture hub, are reportedly bringing water by tanker to keep their plantations alive. With each tanker costing around ₹900, the recurring expense is becoming difficult to sustain until harvest.

The groundwater decline is also creating drinking water difficulties for local residents and livestock, he said.

With water being released downstream from Srisailam, Shailajanath urged the authorities to make full use of available resources and provide relief to farmers at the HLC tail end.