The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the trust which manages the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, has reportedly introduced rationing for hotels and shops on the seven hills as it faces a major water crisis.
According to a report in the Times of India, the TTD has already imposed a 50 per cent cut in water supplies to hotels and commercial establishments, while initiating measures to save water in cottages, guesthouses, mutts and offices.
This comes after reports that the temple town, which is frequented by thousands of pilgrims a day, was facing a prolonged dry spell and there was no increase in water storage levels at the four major dams.
Quoting TTD officials, the TOI report also adds that the water levels in various lakes in and around Tirumala have plummeted to an all time low including the Papavinasam, Gogarbham and Kumaradhara-Pasupudhara twin dams and Akasa Ganga.
With the hills receiving only half the annual rainfall, and many establishments forced to purchase water tankers, the TTD has pinned its hopes on the northeast monsoon.