Karimnagar: Water Shortage Clouds Ganesha Immersion Plans

Karimnagar: Deficient rainfall and low water levels in tanks and canals are posing a challenge to Ganesha idol immersion in Karimnagar and Sircilla, with towns facing greater difficulty because of the large number of idols.

Around 3,000 idols installed in 66 divisions of Karimnagar Municipal Corporation are usually immersed at Manakondur tank, Kothapalli tank and the Chinthakunta SRSP canal.

While Manakondur tank has adequate water, the Chinthakunta canal is dry. Officials said water would have to be released from the SRSP project, the canal’s only source, to facilitate immersion.

During a visit to the canal to inspect arrangements, local MLA Gangula Kamalakar discussed the issue with irrigation officials and sought release of water.

Union minister of state for home Bandi Sanjay Kumar also instructed officials in this regard.

Municipal officials, who are expecting water from SRSP, have begun removing silt and weeds from the immersion site. Ground-level works on the bund have also been completed.

A Chinthakunta resident, M. Narayana, said the canal usually had water during Ganesh immersion and urged officials to release water from SRSP.

Immersion arrangements at Kothapalli tank have also been affected after a private landowner approached the court seeking to prevent immersion on land within the full tank level (FTL) limits.

Officials are making arrangements on the other side of the tank.

In Sircilla, municipal officials are making alternative arrangements because of the insufficient flow in the Manair river.

Two artificial ponds, each measuring 100 feet by 100 feet and 12 feet deep, are being dug for immersion.

Municipal officials said the thin flow from the upper reaches would be diverted into the ponds.