The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to launch a comprehensive policy for the 2026-27 water year, aimed at making the State drought-resilient while ensuring equitable water allocation for domestic, irrigation, industrial, aquaculture, and other uses.
According to information, the policy is part of broader efforts to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and promote sustainable water management across the State.
It prioritises the timely completion of the ongoing projects, efficient water budgeting, and fair distribution across sectors. By integrating reservoir storage management, minor irrigation systems, and groundwater recharge initiatives, the State seeks to reduce dependence on erratic rainfall, mitigate drought impacts, and support farmers’ livelihoods.
Officials describe the policy as a roadmap for sustainable water management, emphasising strategic storage, improved infrastructure efficiency, and groundwater recharge.
“The new policy has been designed to strengthen minor irrigation tanks, interlink rivers, and preserve surplus water as strategic carryover storage,” said a senior official of the Water Resources Department.
“We are focusing on improving canal efficiency, completing ongoing projects on time, and enhancing groundwater recharge through rainwater harvesting and aquifer replenishment programmes,” he said.
The officials, as part of the policy, have estimated that the State’s gross storage capacity across major and medium reservoirs is 1,106 tmc ft, with live storage of 846 tmc ft.
As of January 1, 2026, available storage stood at 504 tmc ft (major: 475 tmc ft, medium: 29 tmc ft). Expected utilisation up to May 2026 is 412 tmc ft, including 318 tmc ft for rabi crops, 77 tmc ft for drinking water, and 17 tmc ft for industrial use. This is expected to leave a carryover storage of 133 tmc ft , including 41 tmc ft in Pulichintala reservoir, for the upcoming kharif season.
The anticipated inflows into reservoirs, based on a five-year average, total 2,308 tmc ft (major: 1,815 tmc ft; medium: 493 tmc ft), with 1,565 tmc ft estimated as usable inflows. The total water demand for the 2026-27 water year is 1,490 tmc ft, leaving a surplus of 75 tmc ft.
In terms of irrigation coverage, 106.54 lakh acres are targeted under major, medium, minor, and APSIDC-managed projects. Of this, 72.73 lakh acres fall under major and medium irrigation, with 62.15 lakh acres proposed for kharif and 26.77 lakh acres for rabi.
Minor irrigation tanks are expected to cover 25.60 lakh acres, and APSIDC projects 8.11 lakh acres, with corresponding water demands of 155 tmc ft and 47 tmc ft, respectively.
The government has not yet confirmed the policy’s name. Titles such as “Jalam Mana Balam” and “Jalam, Bhadratha Bhavishyattu”, highlighting “Water Security and Future,” are under consideration.
With the new policy, Andhra Pradesh aims to balance supply and demand, safeguard rural and urban water needs, and build resilience against climate variability, ensuring every drop of water is used efficiently and sustainably.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will launch it at a meeting with Water Users’ Associations at Nelapadu in Amaravati on Thursday.
Published – February 04, 2026 07:16 pm IST