Acute water shortage in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh is leaving residents worried. The city is witnessing depletion of groundwater as a result of rapid urbanisation and is calling for attention.
Besides groundwater depletion, reservoirs which serve the water needs of the city are getting dried up, adding to the woes of the residents. In several areas, the common sight is of women standing in long queues at public water taps and near tankers.
On Monday, several women led by the CPI (M) party staged a protest at the headquarters of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).
Speaking to TNM, Sohan Hatangadi, a resident of Pattabhipuram said that the condition across the city is worsening as there is shortage of water supply. He said "everywhere in the city including big apartments and societies, there is a dearth of water supply and we don't know if this is temporary or long term."
Ram Gopal, another resident said that the condition is same in the city as in rural areas with depletion of groundwater affecting water supply.
Gopal said "though officials are claiming that the issue will be solved shortly, the increased digging of bore wells is taking a heavy toll on the city."
Arilova, Madhavadara, Madhuravada and Kailashpuram areas are said to be going through a major water crisis.
The state government installed ‘piezometers’ at several locations to measure the depth of the groundwater in the district. According to data available with the Real Time Ground Water Level Monitoring System, areas like Sivajipalem have witnessed close to 2 metre decline in the groundwater level in just one year, while YSR Park area has seen close to one meter fall in the groundwater level.
Speaking to TNM, Deputy Director Ground Water Department KS Sastry said, "groundwater depletion is a big problem in the city with at least 7-8 places seeing a sharp fall. Compared to last year, the city witnessed 36% less rainfall this year which is also one of the reasons."
He also said that compared to rural areas, urban areas are seeing a more rapid depletion in groundwater levels.
He added "though 877mm of rainfall is not low, city dwellers are failing to preserve the rainwater due to which the recharge of groundwater is not happening.” If citizens act responsibly and take proper measures to preserve the rainwater, the water problems would not arise, he said.
With temperatures touching 40 degree Celsius, the water bodies in the city are fast drying up. According to media reports, as many as eight reservoirs are heading towards dead storage level.
Speaking to TNM, the GVMC Commissioner Hari Narayanan claimed there is no crisis but due to a breach of the Godavari canal, water supply was affected in some areas. He said, "the Godavari canal was breached as a result of which water supply was affected in one area, we later fixed it.”
Speaking about depleting groundwater levels, he said that the decreased rainfall last year has contributed to the situation and added, "we are making sure that the building owners are taking measures for recharge of groundwater while giving permissions in the initial stage itself."
Narayanan also said that the authorities have already prepared a summer action plan after identifying areas prone to water shortage.