The much-awaited Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) waters are expected to reach the Madanapalle division of Annamayya district between September 12 and 15. The development prompted Annamayya District Collector Nishanth Kumar to direct officials to give top priority to filling drinking water tanks and to prevent shortages in the coming months.

Addressing an emergency meeting with the concerned officials here on Monday, the Collector directed Irrigation and coordinating departments to complete preparations to conserve water sources immediately.

“The Chippili, SS and Guddivaripalli SS tanks, which cater to Madanapalle town’s drinking water needs, should be filled on priority. Steps should be taken to temporarily raise the storage level of Chippili tank to hold more water than last year. Guddivaripalli tank should be filled to its full capacity,” Nishanth Kumar said.

The Collector instructed officials to deploy round-the-clock monitoring teams to oversee water releases, canal flows and tank filling. “The teams are formed with personnel from the Irrigation, Revenue, Police, APSPDCL, Agriculture and Horticulture departments,” he said.

The Collector also instructed officials to plan to fill Veligallu reservoir to at least 50% of its capacity through the HNSS main canal. Water supply arrangements for the reservoir should be completed between September 3 and 5, he said.

With the possibility of increased demand for drinking water amid El Niño conditions, the Collector stressed that available HNSS water should be used judiciously, with drinking water requirements taking precedence over other needs.