Odisha farmers left high and dry as Andhra diverts canal water from Rayagada

Hundreds of acres of agricultural lands in Odisha’s Rayagada district are turning into barren lands, thanks to illegal water diversion by Andhra Pradesh. Farmers in border areas have been left high and dry as the neighbouring state allegedly diverts all the water from two check dams built by the Odisha government.

With check dam water diverted by Andhra, Odisha farmers are left in the lurch with no other source of income. Most of them are forced to work as daily wage labourers while Andhra farmers are reaping gold using Odisha’s check dam water.

According to sources, the Odisha government had spent lakhs of rupees in the construction of two check dams in a bid to help farmers of Kundum, Gaudakundum and other villages in the Odisha-Andhra border in Rayagada district in 2016-17.

However, the purpose of the check dams remains unfulfilled as all the water is being diverted to Andhra. Odisha farmers are facing all sorts of problems due to lack of water for their crops. 

“The government had spent lakhs of rupees in the construction of two check dams. However, the whole money has gone down the drain. Odisha farmers are not able to get even a drop of water from the two check dams. All the water is being diverted to Andhra,” alleged a farmer.

“Andhra Pradesh government has constructed the check dam for us. We are able to grow all kinds of crops like paddy, pulses, and vegetables. The water supply has come as a boon for us,” an Andhra citizen said.

When contacted, D. Sudhakar Kumar, Engineer, said, “These check dams were constructed for lift irrigation facilities for farmers. However, the agricultural fields are above the check dams due to which there is no water supply to the fields. We will have to look into whether the check dams are built in our region or Andhra’s land.”