Nandyal’s Catch the Rain works find mention in Modi’s Mann ki Baat

Published 26 July 2026 · india

The ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign is strengthening water conservation efforts across Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh through large-scale desilting of 2,691 km of feeder and supply

The ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign is strengthening water conservation efforts across Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh through large-scale desilting of 2,691 km of feeder and supply channels, restoration of 251 minor irrigation tanks, 2,103 water conservation works, and the revival of thousands of rainwater harvesting structures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the campaign in his Mann ki Baat address on Sunday (July 26, 2026). The campaign, which started on July 4 and will continue till August 4, is being carried out with the objective of conserving every drop of rainwater through the restoration of traditional water bodies, desilting of feeder channels, revival of tank systems, and creation of additional water storage.

There is a convergence between various departments as part of the campaign, which follows the principle of ‘Catch the Rain, Where it Falls, When it Falls’. Through scientific planning, community participation and coordinated execution, the district is strengthening its water conservation works and improving its capacity to capture and store monsoon run-off, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry said in a statement. According to the release, scientific planning has been undertaken across all 489 gram panchayats through field surveys, mapping of priority water bodies, feeder channels and watershed areas, and technical assessments by the departments concerned.

Consultations with local communities and village elders helped identify interventions based on local needs and traditional knowledge. The proposed works were placed before the gram sabha to ensure transparency and community participation. “Based on this scientific and participatory planning process, the district identified, sanctioned and grounded 2,103 water conservation works, achieving 100% grounding. These interventions are planned to maximise rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and water storage, thereby strengthening the objectives of the Catch the Rain Campaign,” the release said. Under the campaign, 2,691 km of feeder and supply channels have been desilted and restored, improving the conveyance of rainwater into tanks and reservoirs.

Restoration works have been undertaken in 251 minor irrigation tanks, of which 225 are completed, while the remaining are in progress. The district has also strengthened its network of 22,221 farm ponds, 2,221 check dams and 202 percolation tanks, improving rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and water availability. These interventions improve the overall efficiency of the water conservation system and reinforce the district’s preparedness to capture every possible drop of rainfall.