Water Shortage Concerns Emerge in Visakhapatnam

Water shortages have begun to emerge within the limits of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. With the onset of March, rising temperatures have intensified the summer heat, leading to a gradual decline in water levels across several reservoirs. The city largely depends on the Yeleru reservoir, which serves as the primary source of water supply for Visakhapatnam. Officials state that the city requires approximately 11 TMCs of water every day. As water levels in local reservoirs continue to decline, authorities fear that a shortage could arise by the end of March.

At the same time, water from the Yeleru reservoir is also being released for the second crop in the Pithapuram and Annavaram regions. This has raised concerns about whether the reservoir will be able to supply sufficient water to meet the needs of the city. According to 2024 estimates, Visakhapatnam has a population of around 2.4 million, requiring approximately 453 MLD of water daily. However, current supply stands at only about 390 MLD, according to officials.

Authorities are now discussing strategies to manage drinking water requirements during the upcoming three months of summer. In addition to supplying drinking water to residents, the city must also provide water to industries. With reservoir storage levels declining, experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive plan to address Visakhapatnam’s future water requirements. As the city’s population continues to grow steadily, officials say that the water supply infrastructure must be strengthened accordingly. Otherwise, nearly 2.5 million residents of the city could face serious water shortages in the coming months.