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John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, March 06: The Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) recently released a notice about “water curtailment in Port Blair PBMC Jurisdiction due to deficit monsoon during 2022 and 2023.” The notice states that the storage of water at all sources in South Andaman, including the Dhanikhari Dam, needs to be regulated until the arrival of the next southwest monsoon in May/June 2023. As a result, the water supply to all areas falling under the jurisdiction of PHED, APWD, and PBMC shall now be made once in three days with effect from 09.03.2023 instead of the present schedule on alternate days.
Over the last several years, people in Andaman have faced water crises, and the situation has become even more severe for many people in the South Andaman area. Water curtailment has forced them to virtually run from pillar to post even for a single bucket of water.
Mr. Arun Kumar, Executive Engineer, APWD, (PHED) informed Andaman Sheekha Daily that the present water level of Dhanikhari Dam is 57.83 Meters, and this can serve the city for five months till July. If a lesser quantity is drawn with a 30% Curtailment from Dhanikhari Dam.
The supply from the Dam was 32 Million liters of water per day, which was reduced to 30% from 09 March, and there is no plan for further curtailment because Rutland water project is covering the major part supply. Currently, the Dam is receiving around 06 MLD per day of water from Rutland, and in that, Rutland water supply also directly covers some villages of South Andaman like Guptapara, Manjery, Wandoor, and Humfrigunj.
The APWD is hoping that good rainfall will help fill the Dam in the coming months. In the meantime, the APWD has planned to start the desilting process in some areas where water dried up by removing the fine silt and sediment that has collected in the dam in order to restore its natural capacity. However, in major parts, more drop in water level is required before they can plan for desilting works.
He said that the Andaman and Nicobar Administration are working on further plans, including the Flatbay project, which involves building check dams in Karpeyaswamy Nallah in Bimblitan and another Check Dam in BachcharaPahad near Chouldary area. Consultancy for these projects has already been called for.
However, he said that at present, there is no plan for desalination of seawater because it is a very expensive project.
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