mangalore today

Water position precarious in May if rains fail : DK DC


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 03, 2019: DK DC  Sasikanth Senthil has said that the MCC will have to introduce water rationing in month of May if the Nethravathi catchment area does not receive adequete summer showers.

 

sasikanth.jIn response to a question on the situation of water supply in Mangaluru, Senthil said, “The public need not worry as the situation is not alarming. The district normally receives summer showers in the months of March and April. If the district fails to get the summer showers – especially in the catchment areas – then the authorities may have to ration the available water in May.”

The DC, however, was also optimistic on such a situation not arising.

“The dependence on River Nethravathi water by MRPL and MSEZ will be reduced by 50%. The Mescom has already disconnected power to pump sets installed by farmers to lift water from the Nethravathi,” he said.

“With the inflow of water from Nethravathi to the Thumbe vented dam stopping, citizens are requested to use water judiciously. The water impounded in the dam needs to be supplied to residents until the first week of monsoon. Drinking water should not be used to water kitchen gardens and washing vehicles,” the officer requested.

“We are closely monitoring the water level at AMR and the Thumbe dams. About 160 MLD of water is pumped from Thumbe for city use. About 200 MLD is being used by the MCC, Mangalore University, Bantwal Town Municipality and farmers,” he added.

The DC also said that tankers supply water to areas with scarcity in Ullal and Mulki. “Some private borewells and wells have been taken over by the Kotekar urban local body. Gram panchayats in the district have been asked to redress scarcity problems immediately. They can supply water through tankers for a week and later sink borewells if alternative sources are unavailable,” he explained.  The summer showers this week in and around Mangaluru are yet to be evaluated for water storage in catchment areas and how they may progress in next few days.