India, April 1 -- With peak summer days ahead, condition particularly alarming for farmlands that make up 60% of basin

At least 13 east-flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar have no water at the moment, according to an analysis of data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC). They include Rushikulya, Bahuda, Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Sarada, Varaha, Tandava, Eluru, Gundlakamma, Tammileru, Musi, Paleru and Munneru.

Flowing through the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha through an area of 86,643 square kilometre (sq km), the rivers drain directly into the Bay of Bengal. Agricultural land in this basin is around 60 per cent of the total area and this situation even before the peak of summer is alarming.

The important u...