With the major reservoirs that provide water to the city maintaining good levels, normal supply is likely this summer in Visakhapatnam. The levels in the Raiwada and Tatipudi reservoirs are likely to see it through December. From Raiwada, 27 million gallons a day (MGD) is drawn realising 15 MGD, and from Tatipudi, a pipeline brings in 9.5 MGD.
However, it is the supply from Yeleru reservoir that is the mainstay, for which alternative arrangements are to be made. About 85 MGD from the reservoir meets the industrial needs to the tune of 55 MGD and domestic needs accounting for another 30 MGD. The water flows by gravity through the 156-km Yeleru left canal. However, when it reaches dead storage level, water has to be pumped.
The Purushottapatnam Lift scheme, taken up on the Left Main Canal of Polavaram Project, comprises pumping of water into Yeleru reservoir in its second stage. “As of now the reservoirs are in a good position and we see no problem in ensuring supply during summer,” Municipal Commissioner M. Hari Narayanan said. He said that pumping of water into Yeleru reservoir is also promised in April.
Sources in the Irrigation Department say the second stage of the lift scheme with eight motors and two pipelines will be ready by the end of March. However, water is unlikely to be pumped into the reservoir, as the lift scheme is meant to operate only during the flood period, an official said.
Besides, work on the LMC has to be completed giving priority, and for pumping into the reservoir water has to flow through the canal up to second stage lift, officials pointed out.
Considering availability of water in the Godavari and uncertainty over the operation of the lift for the current season, the GVMC is making alternative arrangements to take up pumping from Yeleru reservoir. The pumping is likely to begin from the third week of April.
The Meghadrigedda reservoir close to the city is used for buffer storage. Officials said 8.5 MGD is drawn from it and it will last up to September/October. However, in case of any contingency, even if more is drawn, it is likely to last up to July, officials said.
Groundwater table dips
Another worrying factor is the steep fall in groundwater table with new constructions and colonies coming up and their heavy dependence on borewells.
In core areas too, the water levels are already on the decline. “Our borewell dried up two month ago. We are totally dependent on municipal water supply and it is not adequate even now,” says A. Siva Kumar, a resident of Sankar Mutt area.
To cater to scarce situation during summer, the GVMC prepared an action plan covering mainly peripheral areas, villages merged in the city and poorer localities.
The Ward Boys Colony adjacent to the KGH is an instance of residents facing water shortage for months. The road had been dug up for laying a new road more than a year ago. It is yet to be come up, according to residents.
“Water from the public tap in the middle of the road comes for a short time and it is not sufficient for us. Though a borewell is located at some distance, we find it difficult to get water from there,” says Kumari, a 50-year-old homemaker.
The residents of apartments have to depend upon the ‘Dial-a-tanker’ scheme paying ₹450 for a tanker.
