Half-empty lakes give a scare to Warangal ryots

WARANGAL: Paddy farmers in Warangal district are worried over cultivation of the crop this kharif what with all major lakes being half-empty till date.After cotton, paddy is the major crop cultivated in the district. While the normal cultivation area of paddy is 1,32,325 hectares, it was cultivated in 1,06,905 hectares only last year.  This year, according to records of the agricultural department, paddy cultivation was taken up only in 54,000 hectares by Aug 15, which means paddy will be grown in only half of the normal cultivation area.  In fact, paddy has to be cultivated in 22,000 acres under Pakala lake, 20,000 acres under Laknavaram and 10,000 acres under Ramappa lake.Pakala lake has water flowing at 15 feet against its maximum of 32 feet, Laknavaram at 10 feet against the maximum of 34.5 feet while Ramappa is having water at 18 feet against its maximum of 36 feet.The Mallur vagu project and Ghanapuram lakes are also not having sufficient water.Paddy cultivation has been stalled in forest area mandals too with insufficient water in 30 other lakes.Last year, lakes got full by the end of July and paddy transplantation works were completed by August.But this year, August is nearing end but paddy cultivation is yet to be taken up in some places. Meanwhile, officials opined that farmers under the lakes should focus on  alternative crops as paddy transplantation is getting delayed. “We will think of the issue if there are no rains in the next 10 days,” they said.