Mangalore’s life line rivers run dry

Mangalore’s life line rivers run dry

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 2, 2014: Mangalore’s  two life line Rivers Kumaradhara and Netravathi, which for ages past would be in  rumbling rush  in the month of June, are now like a dry sand desert at Uppinangadi protesting the lack of SW monsoon rains, confirming the drought in the area.

Earlier,  the rivers would be flooded and people feared  during this time of monsoon along River Nethravathi in Dharmasthala,  this year, the rivers are still waiting for rain water.

River Kumaradhara, flowing from Subrahmanya joins Gundya stream near Ulipu in Kutruppadi village and progresses towards Uppinangadi to join River Netravathi, spanning a wide area, the river will be in full spate. The scenario is completely different this season, causing anxiety in Mangalore city and surrounding farming towns. River Nethravathi, the lifeline of  Bantwal and Mangalore taluks, is almost dry and only sand is seen. People are in fear of water shortage and resulting diseases. Accumulated garbage which is normally cleared away by the rapidly flowing river is rotting and out breaks of contagious diseases are possible.

A dam built at Nekkiladi, provides drinking water to Puttur town and surroundings, the dry river is posing danger and drinking water would be a serious problem apart from the impact on agriculture.

Sand exploitation :  With Netravati River nearly dry, illegal sand mining is being carried out unabated in Uppinagadi. In Nekkiladi and Bollaru in the limits of Ilantila village, the extraction of sand is being done in the middle of the river, using mining lorries. Sand mining is round the clock activity in Kumaradhara River at Koila, Alankaru and Perabe. People are of the opinion  that the sand removal is illegal. There is reason to believe that the matter is also illegal and detrimental to the environment.