Annamayya gears up to receive Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi water next week

Annamayya District Collector Nishanth Kumar has ordered departments to prioritise filling drinking water tanks ahead of Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) water expected to arrive in Madanapalle division between September 12 and 15.

Speaking at an emergency meeting on Monday, Kumar directed irrigation and coordinating departments to complete preparations immediately for water conservation. He emphasised that the Chippili, SS and Guddivaripalli SS tanks, which supply drinking water to Madanapalle town, must be filled on priority.

Temporary storage expansion planned

The Collector instructed officials to temporarily raise the storage level of Chippili tank beyond last year's capacity, while Guddivaripalli tank should be filled to full capacity. The administration has also set a target to fill Veligallu reservoir to at least 50 per cent capacity through the HNSS main canal.

Water supply arrangements for the reservoir must be completed between September 3 and 5, Kumar said.

Round-the-clock monitoring teams deployed

To oversee water releases, canal flows and tank filling, the district has formed monitoring teams that will operate 24 hours a day. The teams comprise personnel from Irrigation, Revenue, Police, APSPDCL, Agriculture and Horticulture departments.

El Niño conditions drive urgency

Kumar stressed that HNSS water must be used judiciously, with drinking water requirements taking precedence over other needs, citing the possibility of increased demand amid El Niño conditions. The directive aims to prevent water shortages in the coming months.

Source: The Hindu