Tribal families in Thenelamamidi village of Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district have sought immediate government intervention over a decades-long drinking water crisis that forces residents to trek two kilometres and cross a fast-flowing stream every day to access safe water.

Despite repeated appeals to officials and elected representatives, villagers say no permanent solution has been provided. Residents have now petitioned Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, seeking an engineered water supply system to end the daily risks faced particularly by women and children.

Villagers Cross Dangerous Stream To Fetch Drinking Water

Residents of the remote tribal settlement travel around two kilometres every day to collect drinking water, navigating difficult terrain and crossing a fast-flowing stream.

Women and children bear much of the responsibility for fetching water and face significant risks while making the journey.

When water levels in the stream rise, residents use makeshift ropes for support while attempting to cross the strong currents.

Local women said villagers had been swept away by the stream in previous incidents, highlighting the dangers faced by the community while accessing drinking water.

During periods when the stream becomes completely impassable, residents are forced to travel further to collect water from an alternative spring located in neighbouring Visakhapatnam district.

Villagers Say Appeals For Permanent Water Supply Were Ignored

Residents said they had repeatedly approached officials and elected representatives seeking a permanent solution to the village’s drinking water crisis.

Despite years of appeals, villagers claimed that authorities had failed to provide infrastructure that would allow the community to access safe drinking water without undertaking the dangerous journey.

The continuing lack of a reliable water supply has left residents dependent on distant natural water sources.

Villagers said successive assurances from authorities had not resulted in any permanent infrastructure or immediate relief measures.

Delegation Travels To District Collector’s Office Seeking Action

A delegation of villagers recently travelled to the District Collector’s office to press for government intervention.

According to residents, officials did not allow the delegation to enter the main building and instead met them at the gate.

Officials assured the villagers that their concerns would be brought to the attention of the government.

However, residents said they were not provided with immediate relief, temporary drinking water arrangements or a timeline for addressing the crisis.

Tribal Residents Petition Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan

With local authorities yet to provide a timeline for intervention, the villagers have escalated their demands to the state government.

In a formal petition, residents urged Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to intervene and provide an immediate solution.

The community has sought a permanent, engineered safe-water supply system to end the decades-long hardship and reduce the risks residents face while collecting drinking water.

“We are risking our lives every single day just for a pot of water,” a villager said.

“We have swallowed promises for years. Now, we need pipelines, not words,” the villager added.

Residents are awaiting government intervention as the village continues to depend on distant water sources for one of its most basic daily needs.

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