Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

Collector warns against water-diversion

By Our Staff Reporter

ONGOLE DEC. 8. The District Collector, R. Karikal Valaven, has said steps are being taken to plug wastage of water and ensure that water released into Nagarjunasagar project right canal is utilised in view of the severe drinking water crisis in the coming summer.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said 2 tmcft of water was released from the NSP to the district to fill 88 water tanks under its ayacut -- water was expected to reach here tonight. All police stations, located in the ayacut area, had been alerted and deputy SPs asked to supervise the security arranged for free flow of water.

Stringent action would be initiated against those who indulged in water-diversion as it should be used only for drinking water purpose, he warned. Although there has been a demand for release of water for ID crops, supply for cultivation was almost ruled out due to the acute shortage of drinking water, sources said.

The Collector said police striking forces and monitoring teams were deployed to deal with water-diversion. He appealed to the political parties, farmers and their associations to cooperate with the administration in judicious use of water. Farmers of Guntur district had lifted Tangedumalli major sluice gates yesterday to draw water for irrigation. However, the Guntur Collector and the SP responded in time and ensured release of water to Prakasam district.

As per the instructions of the Chief Minister, it is said that 700 cusecs was released into main canal at 57th mile and 500 cusecs in Addanki branch canal at zero mile. But, due to the alleged diversion in the upper reaches in both the canals, the desired discharge was not realised at the respective points.

The teams, comprising the DPAP, the RWS and the Groundwater Department, would work out on habitation-wise details of water requirements, locally available sources such as streams, wells and agriculture wells and condition of borewells.

On the basis of the information given by them steps would be taken to tap the available water resources and also explore other means to provide 40 lpcd in every habitation, the Collector noted.

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