Dinesh Gundu Rao urges officials to consider implementing rationing of drinking water if necessary

Dinesh Gundu Rao urges officials to consider implementing rationing of drinking water if necessary

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 3, 2024: Chairing a meeting aimed at assessing the district’s readiness to combat water scarcity, Mr. Rao emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate water supply for both urban and rural areas in the face of upcoming elections. He stressed the need for proactive measures to avoid any lapses in water distribution, cautioning that failures could be magnified during election campaigns. Advising officials to consider water rationing if necessary and to prevent unnecessary wastage, he underscored the importance of efficient water management.

During the meeting, Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner C.L. Anand reported that the current water level at the Thumbe vented dam would suffice for the next 45 days, meeting the drinking water needs of various urban and rural areas. Representatives from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited and Mangalore Special Economic Zone Ltd. assured that they were drawing minimal water from the dam to fulfill their requirements.

Acknowledging previous instances where water supply to companies was restricted, Mr. Rao urged cooperation from industries in case of future restrictions. He instructed district officials to provide advance notice of any such restrictions. Updates on water levels at various dams and measures taken to address water scarcity, such as tanker supply to problematic areas and mapping of borewells, were also discussed during the meeting.

Additionally, efforts to address the needs of livestock, including setting up fodder banks in goshalas, were highlighted, ensuring adequate support for the agricultural sector during the water crisis.