Measures underway to avert drinking water crisis in Visakhapatnam

Amid the ongoing drinking water crisis in Visakhapatnam city, MP M. Sribharat along with the MLAs of all constituencies reviewed the water supply situation in various parts of the city at a review meeting at the VMRDA office on Friday.The meeting reviewed the available water sources, existing reservoir levels, the present water supply system, and the preparedness measures required to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply until the next monsoon.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr. Sribharat said that the storage levels in the city’s rain-fed reservoirs, including Raiwada, Meghadrigedda and Tatipudi, had declined due to deficient rainfall, which he attributed to the El Nino effect.

He said: “Nearly 60% of Visakhapatnam’s water supply is sourced from the Yeleru water system. Special efforts are being made to improve the availability and transmission of water from Yeleru.”

Silt accumulated in the Yeleru canal has reduced the flow of water. About 25% to 30% desilting work has already been completed. The remaining works would be expedited. Once desilting is completed, the canal is expected to facilitate a flow of around 600 cusecs, enabling maximum utilisation of the available Yeleru water for Visakhapatnam," he said.

Mr. Sribharat said that through the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme, water would be diverted to Yeleru with the objective of building up storage to around 15 TMC by the end of October 2026.

According to the projections reviewed at the meeting, Visakhapatnam would require approximately additional 6.2 TMC water up to June 2027. Based on the available water resources and planned measures, steps are being taken to ensure that the city does not face a drinking water shortage, he added.

Officials informed the meeting that works related to the Polavaram Left Main Canal were being planned for completion up to Visakhapatnam by June 2027, which was expected to further strengthen the city's long-term water security.

Officials also discussed the need to efficiently utilise the existing pipeline network to transfer water from Yeleru to different parts of the city, particularly when water availability in the rain-fed reservoirs like Thatipudi, Raiwada Mehadrigedda declines

The MP directed officials to identify water-stressed areas and establish effective alternative supply arrangements so that water can be provided immediately to affected localities..

Mr. Sribharat said that a responsive control system is being put in place to ensure immediate action on complaints related to water supply. He stressed that residents be provided with accurate and timely information about water supply disruptions, their causes and the alternative arrangements being made.

The meeting discussed measures to curb unauthorised groundwater extraction and indiscriminate use of groundwater. Officials were directed to take strict action against unauthorised borewells and excessive groundwater extraction. A special drive would be undertaken to prevent unauthorised groundwater use.

Mr. Sribharat also called for action against buildings involving plan deviations, and called for imposing penalties as per the applicable rules.

He appealed to citizens, individual house owners, commercial establishments, apartment complexes and institutions to make rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge an integral part of water conservation efforts.

MLAs Palla Srinivas, Vamsi Krishna Srinivas, Ganababu, Panchakarla Ramesh Babu, Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, Konathala Ramakrishna were present.