Mangaluru: Thumbe dam water level drops to 4.47 metres, lowest in seven years

Mangaluru: Thumbe dam water level drops to 4.47 metres, lowest in seven years

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 27, 2026: With the summer heat intensifying over the past few weeks, the water level at the Thumbe vented dam, which supplies drinking water to Mangaluru city, has dropped significantly to 4.47 metres — the lowest level recorded in the last seven years.

Amid the declining water levels, the Mangaluru City Corporation has announced water rationing from May 1, under which water supply will be provided on alternate days.

Compared to last year, the district has also witnessed a decline in pre-monsoon rainfall this year. Until April 25 in 2025, Dakshina Kannada had received 119.7 mm of rainfall against the normal average of 60.2 mm, which had helped maintain the Thumbe water level at 5.35 metres. However, this year, the district has received only 41.2 mm of rainfall, resulting in the stoppage of inflow into the reservoir by the end of March and causing the water level to fall to the current 4.47 metres.

In 2017, the Thumbe water level had dropped to 4.18 metres. Since then, such a low level had not been recorded until now.

With rising temperatures, water consumption has also increased. Mangaluru city requires around 160 MLD (million litres per day) of water supply. If water is maintained at 4 metres, about 5.21 million cubic metres of water can be stored, sufficient for 23 days. At 4.50 metres, storage increases to 6.40 million cubic metres, enough for 30 days. At 5 metres, 7.71 million cubic metres can be stored, sufficient for 40 days, while at 5.50 metres, storage reaches 9.17 million cubic metres, enough for 48 days.

However, the availability of stored water in the AMR dam at Biliyooru and the Jakribettu dam at Bantwal is expected to reduce the severity of the crisis.

As officially announced by the corporation, drinking water rationing will begin from May 1. Areas in Mangaluru city and Surathkal will receive water on alternate days.

The monsoon is expected to arrive by the end of May, and pre-monsoon showers may also intensify. If rains fail, however, the city could face a more serious water crisis.

Officials have stressed the need for careful and limited use of water. Residents have been urged to avoid wastage and prioritize available water for drinking purposes. Excessive use of water for washing cars, two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, gardens, and bathing animals should be strictly avoided, as drinking water must remain the top priority.