RAICHUR: Three units of the Raichur Thermal Power Station have been shut down following disruption of water supply. Drinking water supply has also been severely affected in the city, particularly in the areas where Krishna river water is supplied. The disruption was caused by angry farmers who removed a temporary bund across the river in response to the snapping of power supply to illegal irrigation pumpsets along the right bank of the Krishna river.
As the Krishna river has dried up, the district administration made arrangements with Krishna Bhagya Jala Yojana officials to release 300 cusecs of water into the river from the Googal barrage. This water was pumped by the city municipal authorities and Raichur thermal power station. The water left in the barrage was stored by forming a temporary bund across the river.
In the last two days, the farmers of the lower reaches took objection to this and removed the bund formed with sand bags. The water flowed further into the river affecting the pumping of water by the RTPS and the municipal authorities.
The district administration had given instruction to the GESCOM to stop power supply to the villages on the right bank of the Krishna river to prevent illegal pumping of water by farmers. When the power supply was stopped, the villagers removed the temporary bund across the river. As the stored water was let out into the river, both Raichur thermal power station and city municipal authorities were affected. Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil told reporter that water has been released into the Narayanpur dam from Almatti dam and this would help in overcoming water crisis. Experts say that at least three or four balancing reservoirs should be formed at different places between Narayanpur dam and Shaktinagar. This would help both Raichur thermal power station and municipal authorities.
The Case: Farmers angry with the snapping of power supply to illegal irrigation pumpsets along the right bank of the Krishna River protest by removing a temporary bund across the river. Experts say to avoid such disruption in water supply at least three or four balancing reservoirs must be formed at several areas.