Heavy rain but meagre inflows into reservoirs

VISAKHAPATNAM: The inflows into the reservoirs that cater to water supply to the city have been meagre though the city has received substantial rain during the past two days.

Visakhapatnam recorded a rainfall of 8 cm in the 24 hours ending 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday and 3 cm on Tuesday.

“Because of its proximity to the city, Meghadrigedda reservoir level increased by about 2 ft. Yeleru and Raiwada rose only 10 cm and Mudasarlova by 1 ft.

There has been no improvement in Tatipudi levels,” says Chief Engineer B. Jayarami Reddy. The level in Gosthani has gone up by 1.2 ft in the last two days.

Cause for concern


The levels compare poorly with those a year ago raising the concern of officials over meeting the domestic water supply and industrial needs. None of the reservoirs is anywhere near its maximum level.

The level in Mudasarlova reservoir was 164.7 ft on September 30, 2008, much higher than the 159.7 ft on the corresponding day this year. In Gosthani it was 32.6 ft (30 ft), Tatipudi 285.9 ft (271 ft), Gambhiram 114.5 ft (113 ft), Raiwada 109.98 m (103.92 m) and Yeleru 81.85 m (71.27 m).

More rain


The well marked low pressure area over West Central Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood persists, according to a weather bulletin issued by the Cyclone Warning Centre here. Under its influence, rain or thundershowers are likely at many places with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours. Strong surface winds from north easterly direction, with their speed reaching 45 kmph to 50 kmph are likely along and off coastal AP.

Chief amounts of rainfall recorded at 8.30 a.m. of Wednesday in coastal AP in centimetres are: Nuzvid – 13, Eluru – 11, Visakhapatnam – 8, Waltair and Paleru Bridge – 7 each, Anakapalli – 6, Kalingapatnam, Nandigama, Rentichintala – 5 each, Kikalur, Dowleswaram, Tuni, Tenali, Kakinada, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Prathipadu – 4 each.

Helpline


A round-the-clock helpline was established at the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation in view of the cyclone warning having been forecast and Commissioner B. Sreedhar alerted the officials and staff to be on hand to meet any eventuality.

Soon after he returned from Hyderabad after attending the JNMRU review meeting, Mr. Sreedhar visited the Prasad Gardens area where on Tuesday the GVMC officers and staff worked continuously to clear the clogged drains and geddas to avoid inundation. Since Tuesday he was monitoring the situation in the city over telephone.

The Municipal Commissioner appreciated the officials and staff for immediately swinging into action and cleared the stagnated water in many areas on Tuesday.

He cautioned the people living on the hill slopes to be alert. Mr. Sreedhar assured the citizens that GVMC was ready to meet any kind of situation. The required equipment was made ready.

He also visited Swarna Bharati indoor stadium area, KRM Colony, Gnanapuram, R and D Yard and other areas