AP stops Krishna water as sowing begins

Chennai Metro Water department, which was relying on the discharge from Kandaleru to tide over the drinking water scarcity in the  city, now has to depend only on the north east monsoon (NEM). According to Public Works Department (Water Resources Department), the AP government released Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir on October 10 and water reached Poondi reservoir only after 10 days due to various hurdles in the Kandaleru-Poondi canal. Tamil Nadu PWD officials  confirmed that their counterparts suspended the release from Kandaleru on Monday morning. A senior PWD engineer, said “The flow in the canal was less in the past three days and had not received any communication about the suspension. Upon learning it, we contacted the AP officials, who informed us that since farmers in the state have started preparatory works to cultivate kharif crops, they needed water. Further, they said more number of farmers were being illegally drawn from the KP canal.” The engineer added that the current inflow into the reservoir was merely .25 cusecs. Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) officials, who were in the hope of good rainfalls and inflow of Krishna water are now a little tense as the northeast monsoon has not been intensifying.

The release of Krishna water from Kandeleru seems to have enticed seafood lovers in Uthukottai at the Zero Point as there is huge demand for fish caught from the canal.

While locals were initially fished in the canal to satisfy their own needs, they turned it into a commercial venture after noticing the soaring demand for the fresh water fish. These temporary fishermen laid out their nets in the flowing water and catching fish. As information about the mouthwatering taste of the Krishna water fish spread far and wide, more people gathering every day to buy them. Thus, their prices have also skyrocketed up to Rs 150 per kilogram for certain species which are in demand such as the Snake Head, Tilapia etc. With business booming, more enterprising entrepreneurs have set up shop to make a quick buck making the zero point a seafood lover’s hangout.