Water availability in the Sri Vijaya Puram area has come under strain following significantly below-normal rainfall during the recent North-East Monsoon season, prompting authorities to call for immediate conservation measures.
According to official inputs, rainfall recorded at Dhanikhari between November and February was the lowest in the past five years. The shortfall has directly reduced inflow into key storage systems, including the Dhanikhari Dam, leading to a decline in overall water reserves available for public supply.
Officials stated that the reduced rainfall has affected not only the primary reservoir but also supplementary water sources that support the region’s supply network. The drop in storage levels has raised concerns about maintaining consistent distribution in the coming period.
In response to the situation, the administration has urged residents to adopt water-saving practices and minimise wastage in daily usage. Authorities stressed that responsible consumption at the household level is critical to ensuring that available resources are distributed equitably across the population.
The appeal for conservation comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen water infrastructure in the region. Over the past two years, the department has undertaken multiple projects aimed at augmenting supply. Among these, the Rutland Phase-II project has been implemented to enhance water availability in the Sri Vijaya Puram headquarters area, with an allocation of Rs 20.36 crore.
Officials indicated that further financial support has been planned, with an allocation of Rs 30 crore earmarked for the next financial year to continue infrastructure development and improve water management capacity.
Despite these initiatives, authorities maintained that immediate relief depends largely on efficient utilisation of existing resources. The administration emphasised that conservation measures at the community level will play a key role in managing the current shortfall.
Residents have also been advised to remain alert to issues within the distribution network. Authorities requested the public to report any instances of leakage or water wastage to enable prompt intervention and prevent avoidable loss.
Complaints related to water supply infrastructure can be reported to the Andaman Public Works Department at 251185 or to the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council at 231179. Officials noted that timely reporting would assist in addressing technical issues and maintaining system efficiency.
The administration reiterated that the present situation requires coordinated public cooperation, given the dependence of the islands on limited freshwater sources. With rainfall variability affecting supply cycles, authorities underscored the importance of long-term conservation practices alongside infrastructure upgrades.
As the region navigates reduced inflows and declining storage levels, the focus remains on balancing demand with available supply. Officials stated that sustained public participation in conservation efforts will be essential to managing the current challenge and ensuring continuity in water distribution across Sri Vijaya Puram.
