World Water Day: AP's Water Crisis

As World Water Day is celebrated around the world, severe water and power crisis has turned Andhra Pradesh into a state of turmoil.

Ground water resources have been severely depleted, especially in the regions of Rayalseema and Telangana, where a fall of approximately 5 metres in water level is being recorded.

The state recorded a decline from 1,128 mm to 611 mm of rainfall in the last few years, while the soaring temperatures and exploitation of the ground water resources are upsetting the delicate balance. In Hyderabad, suburbs that include Jeedimetla, Kapra, Rajendranagar, Alwal, Shamshabad, Patancheru, Gachibowli and Shamirpet are already in the grip of a severe drinking water scarcity due to lack of supply.

On the other hand, the industrial sector, being the worst hit with power crisis, is filled with power woes as the state government cannot buy power either from the central grids as it failed to book grid space, or private suppliers because distribution companies are facing a cash crunch to purchase power from private suppliers.

The Chief Minister K Rosaiah, on Sunday, directed the APTransco to strictly adhere to a three-pronged strategy to minimise the problems of students and farmers to a larger extent and to maintain essential electricity services at any cost.