Sat Jul 12 16:12:42 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, suitable for publication in The Hindu:
**Godavari Water Released to Rescue Crops in Nagarjuna Sagar Project Zone II**
**Bhadradri Kothagudem, July 12, 2025:** In a crucial intervention to safeguard standing crops in the Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) zone II of the former Khammam district, authorities have released Godavari water from the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project (SRLIP)’s first pump house, located at BG Kothuru village in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The water release commenced today.
The decision follows urgent appeals from numerous farmers’ organizations, citing early sowing in the current Kharif season and the imminent threat of crop withering. With Krishna water from the Nagarjunasagar dam yet to reach the NSP zone II, farmers feared significant losses.
“The associations representing the NSP ayacutdars sought immediate release of Godavari water to protect the standing crops” said official source.
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao brought the situation to the attention of Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who promptly directed officials to initiate the water release from the SRLIP. The successful trial run of the SRLIP’s first pump house occurred in June of the previous year. The state government has prioritized the SRLIP, aiming for its swift completion. This release marks a significant step in ensuring water security for farmers in the region and underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector.
First Piper 