Shahapur
Intense summer heat has led to a sharp decline in groundwater levels in Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district, severely affecting horticulture farmers and dryland agriculture.
Farmers cultivating crops such as papaya, pomegranate, and lemon are facing severe water scarcity as borewells and farm ponds dry up. Many standing crops are reportedly withering before harvest, causing significant financial distress to the farming community.
In Shahapur, farmers who depend heavily on borewell irrigation say the situation has worsened due to rising temperatures and increased water demand. Some growers are now forced to purchase tanker water at high cost to save their crops.
A papaya farmer, Jagadevi Hiremath, said they earlier managed irrigation using stored borewell and canal water, but extreme heat has drastically increased water requirements. She noted that even crops nearing harvest are at risk of total loss due to lack of moisture.
Similarly, farmers in regions under the Krishna command area report that vegetable crops are drying up at the germination stage itself. They say falling groundwater levels have made irrigation unreliable, further deepening the crisis.
Narayanpur Left Bank Canal and related canal systems such as SBC, MBC, and IBC have been highlighted by farmers as potential lifelines. They have urged authorities to release water from reservoirs like Almatti and Narayanpur to help recharge groundwater and support irrigation.
Farmers also stressed the need for immediate intervention to protect livestock and sustain agriculture in low-lying areas. They warned that without urgent water management measures, large-scale crop losses could severely impact rural livelihoods in the region.
