3,247 water bodies in Telangana get surplus water in monsoon
Hyderabad: As many as 3,247 tanks of the total 34,716 under the 19 territorial limits of the Irrigation department Engineer-in-Chiefs (ENCs) and Chief Engineers (CEs) in the State received surplus water following heavy rains that lashed the State a few days ago. However, 1,595 tanks in Hyderabad were only filled between zero and 25 per cent, causing concern on the depleting water levels.
Of the 3,247 tanks, 1,012 in Mulugu district stood top with water levels reaching surplus levels, followed by 504 in Ramagundam and 373 in Jagtial.
Around 6,735 tanks mostly in Kothagudem, Nagarkurnool and Mulugu were filled between 75 per cent and 100 per cent, while 3,438 especially in Adilabad, Karimnagar and Gajwel filled between 50 per cent and 75 per cent, according to tank filling status report as on August 5, released by the Irrigation department on Monday.
Over 6,165 tanks especially in Warangal, Gajwel and Hyderabad were filled between 25 per cent and 50 per cent while 15,131 mostly in Gajwel, Hyderabad and Sangareddy were filled between zero to 25 per cent, the report said.
According to the report, the dismal water levels in the tanks in Hyderabad became a cause of concern as only seven out of 2,599 tanks reached surplus water levels, while 57 were filled between 75 per cent and 100 per cent and 240 between 50 per cent and 75 per cent.
As many as 700 tanks were filled between 25 per cent and 50 per cent and 1,595 between zero and 25 per cent. Though the city and its suburbs registered reasonably good rainfall, the water bodies failed to get water because of blocking the ways by encroachments, according to experts.