Visakhapatnam is stepping up measures to strengthen its drinking-water security ahead of the coming months.
Officials are working towards storing 15 TMC of water in the Yeleru reservoir by October-end.
The storage is planned through the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The move comes as several rain-fed reservoirs supplying the city have recorded declining storage levels.
Raiwada, Meghadrigedda and Tatipudi reservoirs have been affected by deficient rainfall.
The Yeleru water system is particularly important as it historically contributes nearly 60% of Visakhapatnam’s water supply.
Desilting work on the Yeleru Canal is currently around 30% complete.
Officials have been directed to accelerate the remaining desilting work to improve water flow.
Once completed, the canal is expected to carry around 600 cusecs of water.
The targeted 15 TMC storage is expected to meet the city’s projected requirement of about 6.2 TMC until June 2027.
Authorities are also focusing on controlling unauthorised borewells, groundwater extraction and promoting rainwater harvesting.
A proposed ₹220-crore Urban Flood Mitigation Project is also aimed at improving rainwater management and flood preparedness.