Water scarcity in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Water scarcity is troubling people in Srikakulam city as water level in Nagavali river was receding and infiltration wells dried. Officials have failed to arrest indiscriminate sand mining near infiltration wells in the river which is causing water scarcity. Water is being collected from the river through infiltration wells and it is being distributed through two main supply points.

Instead of building groynes, which is a permanent solution to store water in the river near infiltration wells, officials are resorting temporary methods by spending Rs 7 lakh every year to divert water into wells by using earth movers. Out of total 34 wards, water is sufficiently supplied to 15 wards across the city which are situated in low-lying areas and in the remaining 19 wards, residents are facing trouble to get sufficient water.

Irrigation Circle Superintendent Engineer Dola Tirumala Rao told ‘The Hans India’ that water level was reduced in the river due to continuous dry spell for the last nine months in its catchment area. “Storage levels came down in Madduvalasa and Thotapalli reservoirs up to three meters against its maximum capacity and release of water into Nagavali river may not be possible,” he said.

Corporation Commissioner TSSNG Srinivas said sand miners were violating conditions under the Water and Land, Trees Act (WALTA), which is banned sand excavation near any kind of constructions. “According to the Act, sand mining near infiltration wells is a crime, but officials concerned failed to book cases. We prepared proposals to store water in the river near new bridge and sent estimations to government for its nod,” he said.