Tirupati: Good news is that the water brought in by the incessant rainfall in recent days is sufficient to meet local requirements for two years. All village tanks are full with water, ending a period of drought and expensive water supply through tankers to habitations as also to tubs for cattle.
The district administration heaved a sigh of relief, as hefty payments for tanker water supply have mostly been stopped. Before rain came, the drought situation was grim.
The people as also animals of almost all mandals suffered due to drying up of tanks and lack of water. Some farmers even resorted to distress sale of their cattle due to lack of water and fodder.
The district administration supplied drinking water to nearly 2,600 habitations and lesser quality water to water tubs constructed at many places to store water for cattle.
The cost for water supply was of the order of six to seven crore. The present bout of rain saw dams, reservoirs, rivers and village tanks filled with water.
As of now, the district authorities are supplying water to only 270 villages where quality water is still not available.
“Earlier, we were supplying water to 2,600 habitations and water tubs in the district. The 270 villages are still not getting quality water. After testing water, we will allow villagers to use rain water. Until then tanker supply would continue,” said district collector Siddarth Jain.
