Authorities step up vigil at Lower Manair Dam

Plans for round-the-clock lake policing to check unauthorised activities. Incidentally, the LMD reservoir is the only place for the people of Karimnagar to chill out in the evenings.

Following the drowning of six schoolchildren in the swirling waters of Lower Manair Dam (LMD) reservoir on the outskirts of Karimnagar on Monday, the district authorities have raised to the occasion and planning to maintain round-the-clock surveillance to check unauthorised activities and swimming, etc.

Though, the irrigation authorities have installed sign boards banning swimming in the reservoir, but the people of Karimnagar have neglected the warnings and many were became victims on several occasions by intruding into the reservoir. There are instances of at least one drowning incident in the reservoir in a month. Several people died while swimming during the Holi revelry in the reservoir.

Incidentally, the LMD reservoir is the only place for the people of Karimnagar to chill out in the evenings along with their family members in the weekends. But, the hooligans menace and non-availability of basic amenities such as streetlights became a big nuisance for the visitors. Though, there are around 300 streetlight poles, but hardly five to six lights were illuminated in the nights and others were damaged.

LMD DE Ramulu said that they have deployed two watchmen, who were confined to overseeing security at the flood gates and regulator of the project. “It is difficult for us to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and we cannot even close the dam as the fishermen venture into the reservoir and there is a graveyard on the shores. Besides, the womenfolk play Bathukamma during the Dasara festivities,” he added

Ramulu said that they were planning to create more awareness among the people by erecting warning sign boards banning the swimming in the reservoir.

In the meantime, Superintendent of Police V. Shiva Kumar said that they were planning to start lake policing at the LMD reservoir very soon by opening an outpost at the dam and intensify their surveillance to check unauthorised activities and movement of hooligans. He said that they had also launched patrolling by deploying two motorcycles at the dam. He said that they would continue round-the-clock patrolling at the dam to check all illegal activities.