Lakes remain dry despite rains in Palamauru district

Mahbubnagar: Despite the entire district of Mahbubnagar witnessing continuous rain for the last 15 days, surprisingly not a single lake in the district constructed and renovated under the Mission Kakatiya has received the inflows this year. 

For instance, the Yesayakunta Lake in front of Mayuri Harithavanam in Mahbubnagar district, which was brimming with water last year during this time, this year it has not received inflows. There is not a single drop of water in the lake. 

Not just Yesayakunta Lake, but many lakes, which were renovated under Mission Kakatiya in Midjil, Jadcherla, Balanagar and Nawabpet mandals, have also not received the intended inflows. “Every year Yesayakunta Lake used to be filled up to brim. The main reason for this is there have been lot of constructions have come in the way obstructing the inflow into the lake.

Not only that, even if there is heavy rainfall in and around lake, and if the same is not seen in the upper catchment areas then the rivulets that send water into the lakes will not have adequate flow and thus there is not water filled into the lake this time,” observed Mudavath Bhaskar of Mangalikunta Tanda village adjacent to the Yesakunta lake near Mayuri. 

This apart, the lakes in Midjil, Balanagar, Jadcherla and Nawabpet which usually gets water from the upper reaches of Dundubhi river (tributary of river Krishna) passing through Rajapur and Balanagar mandals, this time the upper catchment areas of this river in Nawabpet and Gandeed mandals have not received enough rainfall.

“Now as already there is heavy growth of grass lands and crops sown everywhere, the trees and grass has led to the water sinking into the ground instead of the water flowing smoothly, because of this reason, the lakes have failed to get adequate inflows in August month,” said Hemla Nayak, a farmer, when enquired with him why are not lakes getting filled despite of long schedule of rains in August.

Except in Gadwal, Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy districts, where almost 90 per cent lakes have been filled with either rainwater or water lifted from canals, in Mahbubnagar, the situation is still grim and if the lakes are left empty, then it will be a tough time for farmers who are doing farming under lakes and it would also be tough to meet the drinking needs of cattle in the district.