Prakasam residents question election candidates over drinking water woes
“We are getting drinking water once in three to four days and residents are desperately waiting for water supply in Ongole. We are su¡ering due to the severe water scarcity over the past few days,” said K. Sangita, a resident of the Santhapeta area. There is no water for crops and the production has decreased, say the farmers.
Several habitations in Santanutalapadu, Kanigiri, Darsi, Markapuram, Ongole, Giddaluru, Donakonda, Podili, Yerragondlapalem and other mandals are facing severe drinking water shortages. “The Gundlakamma and Ramateerthem reservoirs are almost dried up, and less water was seen in the Rallapadu and Mopadu reservoirs. Many villages depend on the Nagarjuna Sagar canal, Manneru, Paleru and Musi rivers,” said a chilli farmer M. Sesaiah.
Amid the ongoing elections, residents say that the local leaders have failed to resolve the drinking water issue. In many villages of Darsi, Kondapi, Markapuram, Diddalur and other Assembly Constituencies, candidates face the ire of residents. During the election campaigns, women of the district have been questioning the candidates over the scant water supply.
In Kurichedu mandal, residents erected a banner at the entrance of the village demanding the contestants to come to their village only if they solve the water problem. Recently, the district administration gave orders for drinking water supply through tankers to 85 habitations.
“Residents were storing water in overhead tanks, drums, sumps and tumblers as water was supplied once in three days. We are carrying water for long distances,” said G. Shyamala of Annangi village.
“Drinking water was being supplied through tankers to Rayavaram, Naidupalli, Turlapadu, Sivapuram, Ambapuram, Thummagunta, Kondareddypalli, Padamatapalli, B. Cherlopalli, Vemulakota, Inamukkala, Juvvaleru, Ramapuram, Mallavaram, Kunchepalli and other habitations,” said an RWS engineer.
“The Kandula Obula Reddy Gundlakamma Reservoir is dried up and there is no regular water supply to many hamlets. We request the government to repair the dam gates,” said K. Singaiah, a resident of Karavadi.