Officials directed to ensure free flow of water in canals

District Collector K. Vetri Selvi has directed officials to remove hyacinths and other creepers from irrigation canals to ensure the smooth flow of water and mitigate drinking water shortages in rural areas.
On Thursday, the Collector, accompanied by officials, inspected the summer storage tank near the Denduluru Market Committee Check Post, which supplies water to Eluru city. She also reviewed the ongoing silt removal work in the Eluru canal at the Denduluru foot overbridge.
She emphasised that the Irrigation and Municipal Departments must work in coordination to ensure a steady supply of drinking water to Eluru city while also providing irrigation water for agriculture. She instructed officials to monitor the filling of the summer storage tank through the Eluru canal and prevent unauthorised use of irrigation water.
“The officials should ensure that there is no illegal diversion of water to fish ponds. The tahsildars of Unguturu, Bhimadole, and Denduluru must regularly inspect the field and keep a watch on the canal. Teams comprising officials from the Revenue, Police, Irrigation, Agriculture, and Fisheries Departments should monitor canal embankments and sluices to prevent unauthorised diversions,” she said.
The Collector also directed officials to ensure that all freshwater tanks and canals in the district are filled before their closure and to take measures to prevent water shortages.
Irrigation SE P. Nagarjuna Rao informed the Collector that water would continue to be released until March 11, with a resumption from March 25 to April 25. He said the current water level in the Eluru canal stands at three and a half feet.
RDO A. Ambarish, Municipal Commissioner Bhanu Pratap, Agriculture Officer Habeeb Bash, and Fisheries JD Nagalinchacharyulu were among those who accompanied the Collector.