El Nino, water woes hit paddy farmers in Godavari delta

Farmers across the Godavari delta are reporting widespread damage to their paddy crops due to a combination of rising temperatures and insufficient irrigation. The El Nino phenomenon has significantly reduced seasonal rainfall, leading to a sharp decline in the water levels of key reservoirs that feed the region's canal systems.

Agricultural experts note that the tail-end areas of the canal network are suffering most acutely, with many fields developing cracks and the standing crops showing signs of wilting. While the local government has attempted to regulate water distribution, the demand for irrigation during the critical growth stage has far exceeded the available supply.

Local farmer unions have called for immediate intervention and compensation, citing the high cost of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers that may now result in a financial loss. The situation has raised concerns about the overall grain production targets for the current season in the state. Source: Local News Reports.