Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Sept. 12

FOLLOWING heavy rains in most parts of Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister, Dr.Y.S. Rajaseskhara Reddy, has directed district collectors to initiate steps to prevent breaches to canals and tanks and prevent wastage of water and damage to property.

The Chief Minister, who reviewed the situation here today, directed that the district administration constitute teams to physically inspect the status of tanks and canals and take preventive measures, wherever required. Repairs should be taken up straightaway and funds should not be a constraint.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, instructions were given in the light of the breach that occurred to a tank in Nizamabad district leading to huge wastage of water and inundation of some residential colonies. Last week, similar incidents were reported from the Mahboobnagar district when Jurala project canals suffered breaches.

Dr. Reddy wanted the district administration and officials to be alert as the meteorological office has forecast rain in many parts, particularly coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh following a low pressure area that has formed over the Bay of Bengal for the second time in a week.

The Chief Minister desired that farmers groups in the districts be involved in protecting the available water in all tanks so that it could be used for agricultural purposes during the kharif operations which are in full swing.

"Every drop of available water should be properly used so that farmers reap the maximum benefit," he observed.

The Chief Minister pointed out that due to copious rains in the first two months of the monsoon this year, the State is expecting highly favourable crop conditions and a record production of food grains, which would have a big impact on the rural economy.

Against this background, district officials should take every care to ensure that the crop sown is not damaged due to flooding because of breaches to tanks and canals, he said.

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