ANANTAPUR: As the rainy season is approaching, many colonies here are facing a threat of inundation due to lack of protection walls for the major water – carrier channels Nadimi Vanka and Maruva Vanka.
The long-pending proposal of underground drainage system is a mirage due to the financial constraints of the state and central authorities. The only way forward is to properly maintain the existing drainage system.
Flash floods had hit half of the Anantapur municipal corporation areas last year, causing massive damage to many colonies surrounding Nadimi Vanka after floodwater entered the city due to breaches and over-flowing of upstream tanks in rural stretches.
The Pandemeuru river flows through the city and inundates the two major connecting channels of Anantapur during every season.
Anantapur city and its surrounding rural areas had faced severe threats of floods in the last rainy season, with floodwaters submering the roads. The upstream tanks in Rapthadu and Anantapur rural have been filled with Krishna water through the HNSS project and the excess rain water caused massive damage due to the inadequacies of the existing channels.
City corporator Balanajineyulu has observed that the then TD government had wasted funds by undertaking unscientific construction of the tank bund though funds were sanctioned for the protection wall at all sensitive segments.
“The funds were not properly used for construction of the protection wall of Nadimi etc and the people faced serious problems as a result,” he stated.
In the last rainy season, many colonies in Anantapur were inundated and water entered many houses. Heavy downpour in Anantapur and upstream parts of Rapthadu area resulted in over over-flowing of the existing tanks and main channels.
The Nadimi Vanka bridge road was closed and police were put on alert after the channel was flowing at dangerous level for several days.
The Kakkalapalli, Bukkacherla, Alurmur and Katigani irrigation tanks have been having plenty of water throughout the year and a possible threat to the urban parts of Anantapur is feared, similar to the flooding last year.
Further, the long-pending underground drainage system is likely a dream because Anantapur city was connected with a 9.2km-long stretch of NH Road erected at a cost of Rs 311 crore and works are under progress.
“Lack of proper upkeep and streamlining of drainage systems as also accumulation of rainwater on roads can severely affect the lives of people and motorists at many areas in the city. Even a small rainfall causes panic among commuters,” noted Dr Suresh of the residents welfare association.
