RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM — The state government will release water from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram on Sunday to mark the official commencement of the Kharif 2026–27 cultivation season in the Godavari Delta.
Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh announced the decision following an East Godavari District Irrigation Advisory Board meeting on Saturday.
The proactive measures aim to streamline water distribution across the expansive agricultural belt.
The canal network will receive water in a phased manner to accommodate ongoing modernization and repair operations along the bunds.
State officials confirmed that 51.67 thousand million cubic (tmc) feet of water is currently available in the reservoir system, which is sufficient to sustain early agricultural and drinking water requirements.
Agriculture departments have advised farmers to expedite seedbed preparations and nursery transplantations to maximize the utility of the early release.