Paddy farmers are unable to water the crop at a crucial stage, which could result in losing 15-20% of the output this season.
The current crop is in the ‘panicle initiation to grain filling stage’ and requires three rounds of irrigation. Groundwater levels fell by 1.36 meters, and water storage levels in major reservoirs are low, indicating a bleak prospect.
With reservoir levels depleting and groundwater levels plummeting, paddy farmers in Telangana face a tough time this summer. As they are not able to water the paddy crop at the crucial stage, they face the prospect of losing 15-20 per cent of the output this season.