Heavy rain brings relief to Nirmal farmers

Metro India News | NIRMAL

Widespread rainfall across Nirmal district has brought much-needed relief to farmers and significantly improved water availability after weeks of below-normal monsoon activity. The district recorded an average rainfall of 82.9 mm during the last 24 hours, easing concerns over the Kharif season, which had been affected by nearly a 30 per cent rainfall deficit in July.

The heavy showers have increased inflows into major irrigation projects, including the Kadem, Swarna and Gaddenna Vagu projects. Officials said the Kadem Project is receiving nearly 14,000 cusecs of inflow, with the reservoir level rising to 686 feet against its full reservoir level of 700 feet. The Swarna Project is receiving around 1,000 cusecs, while the Gaddenna Vagu Project is receiving about 1,200 cusecs. Fresh inflows have also begun into the Sriram Sagar Project.

Several tanks and village ponds that had remained nearly dry have started filling up, raising hopes of improved groundwater recharge and better water availability for irrigation and livestock. Farmers have stepped up paddy transplantation, while the rainfall is expected to benefit cotton, soybean, maize and paddy crops across the district. The rain also caused some disruption. The Dharmaram–Soan road in Soan mandal was washed away due to overflowing water, while streams and rivulets flowed in spate in several areas. The Godavari River is also flowing strongly near Khanapur following continuous rainfall.

According to the Meteorological Department, Nirmal town recorded the highest rainfall at 132.3 mm, followed by Kadem (131.2 mm), Soan (130.3 mm), Mamda (115.8 mm), Nirmal Rural (110.6 mm) and Khanapur (108.4 mm). Officials said rainwater harvesting structures developed under the Jalasiri programme will further help improve groundwater levels across the district.