Water in Godavari falls to 2.5 feet for first time in 16 yrs

Bhadrachalam (Kothagudem): The drastic fall in water levels in river Godavari at Bhadrachalam in the district has become a cause of concern for all. A couple of days ago, the water level dropped to the lowest of 2.5 feet after a gap of 16 years, informed the official sources.

The fall in water level in the river was due to mushrooming of new industries and people in the towns depending heavily on the river for water. Bhadrachalam town was the first to bear the brunt as the drinking water supply managed by public health department has been severely affected in the last one-and-a-half month.

The water is being supplied once in two days and that too for a brief time. "It is for the first time we are seeing the river go dry. The river used to have enough water even in summer," told TV Ramana, a senior citizen from Bhadrachalam, to The Hans India.

It might be noted here that even the production at the heavy water plant in Manuguru was stopped last week due to shortage of water as the plant needs 1,700 cubic metres of water every hour that it draws from the river. Meanwhile, a private power project at Dummugudem also stopped its activities recently with Godavari going dry.

Further, drinking water supply to employees of the plant living at township at Gautami Nagar near Aswapuram in the district has also been affected. The employees and their families were asked to use water supplied to them carefully.