Villagers express concern over shrinkage of Alaganuru bund

Kurnool: The shrinkage of Alaganuru Reservoir bund has become a major concern to the people of surrounding villages. It is said that the reservoir bund has shrunk one meter on Sunday afternoon. With the flashing of news, the people of Talamudipi, Alaganuru, Rollapdu and Gadivemula are gripped in fear. If the bund develop breach then the nearest villages would be submerged.

The Alaganuru Balancing Reservoir was constructed with an intention to stabilise the ayacut of 90,000 hectares in Kadapa district. The reservoir was constructed to store a capacity of 2.965 tmc ft water. Water was first filled in 2005 after its completion in 2004.

Since then no problems were noted but on Sunday some locals noticed the bunds of reservoir shrunk to a meter. They immediately brought to the notice of Irrigation department officials. On receiving the information, the Divisional Engineer of Alaganuru Reservoir Rama Murthy accompanied with other officials rushed to the spot and observed the bund. He said there is no need to worry over the shrinkage of bund by one meter.

After a good gap, inflow of rain water was being received. Around 385 cusecs of water were flowing into the reservoir. With this, the bunds would naturally absorb water and shrinkage is a natural phenomenon, he stated. If the bunds shrink more than 5 to 10 meters then the issue would be pursued to be alarming.

However, we have taken up the rectification works and will strengthen the bunds so that shrinkage won’t take place. He exuded confidence among the people of surrounding villages that there is no harm from the shrinkageg. At present, there is only .62 tmc ft water stored in the reservoir, said the DE, Rama Murthy.