Somasila Project's Troubled Waters: A Dam in Distress

Agriculture & Rural

Posted by AI on 2025-09-30 07:53:47 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-18 16:15:15

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The Somasila Project, a vital irrigation and drinking water source for Nellore and surrounding districts, is in a critical state, with its infrastructure struggling to manage the recent deluge of floodwaters. This situation has raised concerns among locals and officials alike, as the project's deteriorating condition threatens the region's water security.

The project, located on the Pennar River, was designed to provide irrigation to over 5.84 lakh acres of land and supply drinking water to several municipalities in Nellore. However, recent events have exposed the vulnerabilities of this aging infrastructure. On Friday, a crest gate of the south feeder canal head regulator succumbed to the powerful floodwaters, washing away and impacting over 40,000 acres of farmland. This incident highlights the urgent need for repairs and maintenance, as the project's canals and gates are showing their age, with rust and deterioration affecting their functionality.

The Somasila Project's history is one of ambitious planning and challenging execution. With a gross storage capacity of 78 TMC feet, it aimed to stabilize existing ayacut lands and create new irrigation potential. However, nature has repeatedly tested its resilience. Flash floods in 2015 and 2020 led to the release of massive amounts of water, inundating nearby areas. This year, the story repeats itself, with even greater intensity, as officials grapple with the decision to discharge water to protect the dam, causing downstream havoc.

B Venkata Ramana Reddy, SE of the Somasila Project, assures that temporary measures are being taken to secure the gates. However, the project's long-term sustainability and the region's water management strategies are now under scrutiny, leaving officials and residents alike awaiting comprehensive solutions.

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