Godavari goes dry in Bhadrachalam

Bhadrachalam (Kothagudem): Even before the mercury levels have shot up in the State, the water in one of the lifeline rivers of the State, Godavari, has receded to single digits for the first time in several years. The river has receded to very low levels in Bhadrachalam with river bed exposing itself to the skies. On Monday, the water level stood at only 5 feet. 

In the last few days, the Public Health Department has not supplied drinking water to people due to insufficient water in Godavari. While the officials concerned are making alternative arrangements for supply of water to the residents of the temple town, the people are questioning the officials as to how they would provide water in summer if the present situation prevails.

As the water level in Godavari has fallen drastically, the Public Health Department which supplies drinking water to residents in this town has alerted the people of possible shortage of water supply for a few days.

When asked, the officials concerned stated that they were unable to pump water to water treatment plant since the intake well near the bridge across the river had dried out and the situation has turned serious. For the first time, the water level in Godavari has reached 5 feet in January month.

According to officials, Bhadrachalam having nearly 70,000 population is being supplied with 12 million litres per day (MLD) water. There are an estimated 4,100 tap connections in the town. Usually, the water level in the river comes down in April or May in summer season. But it happened two months earlier this time. The reason could be that there are no upstream inflows into Godavari, said Deputy Engineer (Irrigation) HV Ramprasad.

Assistant Engineer (AE-Public Health) K Satya informed on Monday that they have already started works to divert water into intake well from the river. The works are under progress to lay a sand bund in the river bed to divert the water. It may take few more days to restore water supply.

The intake well built in 2013 is equipped with three 120 HP motors and one of them is out of order. Bhadrachalam Sub-Collector Bhavesh Misra, AE Public Health and other officials visited the intake well on Monday to take stock of the situation.

Meanwhile, the public and the officials are worried over the situation and fearing that they might have to face severe summer this time. “We have never seen Godavari going dry in January itself,” an elder CH Krishna Rao said.