Drop in water level at Thumbay dam causes concern

Drop in water level at Thumbay dam causes concern

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 26, 2012: The unusual drop in the level of water in Thumbay dam has given cause for concern. Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) has decided take steps to reduce water consumption since the level of water in the vented dam at Thumbay, which is the source of water for Mulky, Ullal, and Mangalore, has gone down to 8.8ft. 

The level of water in this dam had gone below 10ft in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2011, the level of water had gone down to 12ft on March 26. In 2006 and 2009, the dam was overflowing. On March 26, 2012, the water level touched 8.8ft. Records reveal that the water level has never gone down this low ever since the commissioning of the dam in 1993.

 

Experts say that the water level has dropped due to excessive consumption, lack of inflow, and evaporation of water. The officials have revealed that the water level drops by 4 inches daily.

Mayor Gulzar Banu, who visited the dam on Monday, said that the dams constructed by MRPL and for the AMR power project have caused the unusual drop in water level. 

Expressing concern, Shashidhar Hegde, the former mayor said that DC Dr. N. S. Channappa Gowda must make alternative water arrangements for the people of the city. He said that water supply to industrial units must cease immediately. 

Dr. Harish Kumar, the commissioner of the MCC, urged people to use water carefully and assured that water will be supplied to residents from 200 bore wells through tankers. 

Around 2MGD water was pumped from the dam daily for the use of Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF), but the supply has been cut down to 5 kilolitres for drinking purposes. He also said that water will be supplied for limited hours so that people will be more careful in their use of water.