Steps taken to restore lost water-holding capacity of Mehadrigedda reservoir

The authorities concerned including Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and State Irrigation department are jointly working to restore the Mehadrigedda reservoir in Kamparapalem village in Visakhapatnam district, a primary water source serving household and industrial needs across the city.

To fight capacity loss caused by decades of sediment accumulation, the civic body has ordered a comparative study of 10-year water logs alongside high-precision drone surveys. The aerial mapping will identify silt distribution, pollution, canal blockages, and water theft across the basin.

Engineers are reviewing inflow data from feeder streams and tanks in Kotapadu and Sabbavaram areas. Current work involves inspecting spillway regulator mechanics and monitoring depletion rates against past hydrological cycles.

The survey findings will shape an execution plan for large-scale desilting and dredging. Combining digital topography with structural upgrades will help authorities restore lost storage, clear blocked channels, and prevent future drinking water shortages and urban flooding.