Vijayawada: The plunging water-level in Prakasam barrage is alarming civic bodies about the coming water crisis this summer. Water-levels usually decrease in May, but this time it is quite early. The release of 200 cusecs of water through western main canal for filling drinking water ponds and tanks has further depleted the reservoir level. Prakasam barrage, which recorded poor inflows this year due to inadequate rainfall, is now facing a tough time with depleting waters. The water level has fallen down to 8.6 ft and the actual dead storage level is 8 ft.
The gross storage capacity of reservoir is 3.071 tmc and the present gross level, according to the CM’s core dashboard, is 2.16 tmcft. The low water-level in Pulichintala project is causing further anxiety because if the situation continues, there will be a problem for water supply in Vijayawada and Guntur municipal corporations. Civic bodies are in search of alternatives to supply sufficient water this year.
The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation had faced tough times in May 2016, as water-level fell down to an all-time low of 4 ft. The government faced criticism as water-levels were decreased to speed up foundation works of Kanaka Durga flyover. The Vijayawada and Guntur municipal corporations are repairing and reviving old borewells and mortars.
“Demand for water supply in the city will increase every summer. Vijayawada city needs around 180 MLD water everyday in summer. We have taken all measures to face the water crisis. We are repairing borewells in various areas and arranging tankers to supply water to the suburbs of the city,” said VMC superintendent engineer P. Adiseshu. However, people fear the situation would worsen in the coming days when temperature is feared to increase.
