Nandyal District of Andhra Pradesh has significantly strengthened its water conservation infrastructure and storage capacity through the Catch the Rain Campaign implemented from 4th July to 4th August 2026. The campaign focused on conserving every drop of rainwater through restoration of traditional water bodies, desilting of feeder channels, revival of tank systems, and creation of additional water storage, following the principle of "Catch the Rain, Where it Falls, When it Falls."
Scientific planning was undertaken across all 489 Gram Panchayats through field surveys, mapping of priority water bodies, feeder channels and watershed areas, and technical assessments by concerned departments. The district identified, sanctioned and grounded 2,103 water conservation works, achieving 100% grounding through a participatory process that included consultations with local communities and village elders, with proposed works placed before Gram Sabha for transparency.
The large-scale interventions included desilting and restoration of 2,691 km of feeder and supply channels to improve rainwater conveyance into tanks and reservoirs. Restoration works were undertaken in 251 Minor Irrigation Tanks, with 225 works completed and the remaining in progress. The district strengthened its network of 22,221 Farm Ponds, 2,221 Check Dams and 202 Percolation Tanks, significantly enhancing rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
The additional water storage capacity created through these interventions was assessed using technical estimates by engineering departments. The restoration of feeder channels and water conservation structures restored 3.27 TMC of tank storage capacity, while newly created water conservation structures contributed an additional 0.03 TMC of storage. These interventions improve the district's capacity to capture and retain monsoon runoff, enhancing groundwater recharge and water availability for agriculture, livelihoods and local communities.