Adilabad: The mighty Godavari, which is a perennial water source for Telangana, looks like a desert now affecting the entire economy in the region. The river which enters Nizamabad first, flows through Adilabad and other districts in Telangana ushering in prosperity all along its course. According to irrigation experts, the Godavari river has become totally dry for the first time in a half a century. This is largely attributed to prolonged dry spell and lack of rainfall in its catchment areas.

First time in half a century

Hits agrarian economy in many dists

Motor vehicles ply across the dry river bed

People of villages on the banks are reaching the other side crossing the dry river bed in vehicles. An RTC bus service is also being run from Jagityal to Kadam via the empty river. The flourishing agriculture between Basara and Gudem has become a thing of the past.

Farmers in the area used to raise three crops a year till recently utilising the river water. Paddy, maize and chilli are the main crops. They never experienced irrigation problem. Hundreds of villages in Nizamabad and Adilabad are dependent on the perennial river for their drinking water needs. Groundwater is also aplenty in the region. Now, the situation is completely different.

Speaking to The Hans India, Rajanna, a farmer of Bela, said: ``I used to cultivate eight acres of land when there was plenty of water in the river. I raised crop in half acre of land only this season. I am not sure of reaping a good harvest as the crop is withering due to lack of irrigation water. I never saw the mighty Godavari river empty in the past. The dried up river has resulted in acute drought in the area.’’

Another farmer Swamy echoed the same view, highlighting the plight of farmers who are totally dependent on the river for irrigation.Mallesh of another village said: ``There is acute scarcity of drinking water in the area. Lack of water in the river has hit the livestock badly. They do not have sufficient green grass on the river banks. Non-availability of clean drinking water for livestock has become a major problem.’’

Mahesh, a shepherd, said: ``I sold some of my sheep unable to feed them properly. Shepherds are forced to trek long distances along with their herds to find green pastures. The available grass is not sufficient to feed the total herd. Due to lack of water in the river, livestock are falling sick after consuming contaminated water found in pits.''

Washer men, boatmen and fishermen who are continuing their age old professions by depending on the perennial river, have been rendered jobless. Agricultural labourers have migrated to nearby towns in search of livelihood. There is no water for pilgrims visiting the shrines on the banks of Godavari to take a holy dip.

All the people living in the region are affected in one way or the other due to drying up of the mighty river. If the region fails to receive good monsoon in the ensuing season, the whole economy will be further affected. An irrigation expert is of the view that construction of a barrage across the river at Bellala will help overcome this kind of water crisis in future.