KURNOOL:A breach in the summer storage tank at Rajanagar in Kowthalam mandal of the district sent the people of seven villages nearby into a tizzy as it led to a flood-like situation on Sunday.
It may be noted that collector Ch Vijaya Mohan recently directed the officials to fill all the irrigation tanks and summer storage tanks to meet the drinking water needs of the people during summer.
Following his instructions, the rural water supply department filled the Rajanagar summer storage tank, 3 km from Kowthalam, with water from Low Level Canal (LLC), two days ago. The tank is 5.5 feet in height and has a capacity is 0.5 TMC. It supplies drinking water to seven villages nearby including the mandal headquarters. It was constructed in 2008 with a cost of Rs 4 crore.
At around 10 am on Sunday, parts of the walls (karakatta) of the tank suddenly developed a breach of about 3 feet in width and 40 m in length. As the water entered the houses in Rajanagar, the villagers alerted the officials, who rushed to the spot and immediately vacated the locality. On being alerted, Adoni revenue divisional officer Obulesu, rural water supply SE Jayachandra and DSP Srinivasulu forcibly vacated the villagers in nearby six villages.
They also engaged 20 pumps to lift water from the tank and release into agricultural fields.
Addressing newsmen later, the RDO said that the situation had been brought under control, for as many as 20 pumps were working from 12.30 pm to pump out water into nearby farm lands. The water will be cleared by Monday morning, he added.