Threat to 4 villages from backwaters of Gandikota

Kadapa: The lives of about 300 families in Muchumarri, Nagaripeta, Dathavaram and Korrapadu villages in Kondapuram mandal situated along the backwaters of Gandikota reservoir turned pathetic following backwaters entering their houses due to recent rains.

• 300 families are in grip of fear as backwaters entered the houses
• Villagers are still residing in the villages as they are not paid compensation or provided rehabilitation

A Ramanamma (60) of Muchumarri village suffered cardiac arrest and her relatives were unable to shift her to nearby hospital as there was no transport facility. It may be recalled that the state government has declared Muchumarri, Nagaripeta, Korrapdu, and Dathavaram as inundated villages under Gandikota reservoir.

Due to various reasons, villagers were not paid compensation or provided rehabilitation for several years. As a result, people ignored the proposal of the administration to vacant the houses as their habitations will be marooned if Gandikota reservoir receives more than 5 tmcft of water.

Following heavy rains, the water level rose to 7 tmcft in Gandikota reservoir and backwaters entered the houses in these villages. A Ravi Kumar of Muchumarri village said that the district administration has failed to provide rehabilitation to displaced even after submitting several representations.

He stated that people in the villages are in grip of fear for the last four days with backwater entering the houses. “We brought to the notice of Kondapuram MRO and officials of the Revenue department but no one visited our village,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, villagers in large number have met District Collector T Baburao Naidu in his chamber and submitted a representation over the issue. The villagers alleged that officials of the Irrigation department were supposed to store only 4 tmcft of water in the Gandikota reservoir as per the norms. But, more than 5 tmcft is being stored in the reservoir leading to backwaters entering the houses.