Bhadrakali tank breaches, residents moved to safety

WARANGAL: The historic Bhadrakali tank developed a breach on Saturday, resulting in inundation of the Warangal-Kazipet road. The arterial stretch was shut and traffic was diverted from Hunter Road on to alternative routes.
Panchayat raj minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao rushed to the spot and inspected the breach, which had developed in a small portion of the bund.Assuring people that there was no need to panic, he directed authorities to take up all precautionary measures.
Hanumakonda district collector Sikta Patnaik and Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation commissioner Rizwan Basha Shaik called on irrigation authorities to plug the breach with sand bags. Dayakar Rao said that the operation would take four hours.
Speaking to STOI, Shaik said nearly 100 residents from the Saraswathinagar Colony and Ganesh Colony were shifted to a nearby function hall. Authorities supplied food and water for them. Irrigation and engineering authorities diverted water through a nala near Mulugu X Road, ensuring that no water reached the two colonies.
Officials said that a plan had been formulated by experts to safeguard the tank, which would cost 150 crore. The plan would be submitted to the chief minister for approval and sanction of funds.
Speaking about encroachments, Dayakar Rao warned that anyone found encroaching upon the nalas would be evicted. "If any BPL families are located on the nalas, they will be allotted government land and relocated,"he added.
Warangal police commissioner AV Ranganath and other staff were monitoring the situation at the tank.