The flooding from the Chinnonipalli Reservoir has created a serious situation in Chinnonipalli village, located in Gattu Mandal, Jogulamba Gadwal district. Due to recent heavy rains, streams and rivulets in the area have overflowed, causing villagers to worry that their homes could be submerged at any moment.
Despite the risk, many villagers, especially farmers, are refusing to evacuate. They argue that the government has not provided adequate irrigation facilities under the reservoir and that the rehabilitation centre, meant to relocate them, is still incomplete. The villagers claim that the government has not kept its promises, leaving them with no choice but to stay in their homes. In the past, even attempts to evacuate them with the help of the police have failed.
In response to the crisis, Congress party’s district In-charge, Saritha Tirupathiah, has spoken to the authorities, urging them to protect the village from flooding. After her intervention, the contractor and relevant officials have started taking action to release water from the reservoir. The contractor has begun digging a canal to divert the water, which should help reduce the immediate threat.
However, the situation points to a long-standing problem that has persisted for years. The reservoir project, which started in 2005, is still incomplete, and the rehabilitation centre for displaced villagers has been developing too slowly and inadequately.
The villagers have said they are willing to relocate, but only if they receive proper compensation and if the rehabilitation centre is fully developed. For nearly two decades, successive governments have failed to solve these issues, leaving the villagers feeling abandoned and betrayed. They are now calling on the District Collector to step in, ensure they receive the promised compensation, and make the rehabilitation centre liveable.
