Visakhapatnam water sources near ‘dead storage’ levels

VISAKHAPATNAM: With maximum temperature levels in the city going up and re gistering 35 de g ree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius and no favourable rains over the last eight months, levels of key water sources in the city are reaching ‘dead storage’ levels.

Visakhapatnam depends on eight main waterbodies for its annual draw of water. These sources include two surface and two subsurface water bodies.





According to officials of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), surface water sources like Gosthani located in north Visakhapatnam, is the main water source for areas falling under GVMC zone. Gosthani is drying up soon and if it does, it will result in severe water problem for people living in areas like Arilova and Madhurawada in the city of Vizag.

As of Friday, for instance, the water level of Gosthani was reported to have reached a very low 22.4 feet, which is near its dead storage level of 21.6 feet.

The waterbody’s maximum water level is 35ft, GVMC officials said.

On the other hand, the Gambheeram Gedda reservoir was also reported to have reached 109.8 feet, which is close to its dead storage level of 107 feet.

“The Gosthani’s water level fell down to 22.4 feet from 35ft. Our commissioner is planning to sort this out and may hold a meeting in May. Mudasarlova reservoir has reached its dead storage level,” a GVMC officer told STOI.

The city of Visakhapatnam has a total of 2.5 lakh domestic water connections and 5,200 semi-bulk water connections from Anakapalli to Bheemili. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation is presently supplying only 110 liters per head per day against the required 150 litres per day per head.