Water crisis fears recede, thanks to monsoon revival

VISAKHAPATNAM: The reactivated southwest monsoon and the consequent rainfall seems to have come at the opportune time when water levels in the reservoirs in the district had started to dwindle.
Speaking to the media, here, on Friday, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation commissioner M Hari Narayanan said many of the reservoirs, which supply water to the city are filled to a safe operating level following the recent showers.The water level in Yeleru reservoir has reached 79.5 meter range and its 17 meter in Godavari. “Currently, the Yeleru reservoir is getting about 700 cusecs of water from the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Project. We can expect a smooth year ahead in terms of water supply,” said Hari Narayanan.
The civic chief stressed on the importance of rainwater harvesting and asked Vizagites to have one in their household. Harvesting pits can help recharge the water table. It is the best solution for water problems,” said Hari Narayanan.
While water level in Thatipudi reservoir reached 274 feet against its maximum of 297 feet, the water level in Meghadri Gedda reservoir stands at 48.5 feet against its maximum of 61 feet. On Friday, the water level at the Raiwada reservoir was at 107 metres against its maximum of 114 metres.
The water level in Mudasarlova reservoir has reached about 154 feet range against its maximum of 168 feet.
Apart from this, Hari Narayanan also spoke on other civic and civil issues. He said that about Smart City projects worth Rs 363 crore have been initiated and about Rs 120 crore works has been completed. “Tenders have been finalised for some other work. There has been a drop in dengue and malaria incidence in the city in the last one month,” he said.
He explained the revised guidelines of Swachh Survekshan-2019. “The GVMC has been collecting professional taxes within city limits since 2017. We have made provisions to pay the professional taxes online to the residents of the city,” the GVMC commissioner further added..