Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 29: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, U T Khader, noted that drinking water shortage has been witnessed within the limits of 15 gram panchayats in the district and that water is being provided to affected areas with the help of tankers. He said that a sum of Rs 6.25 crore has been sanctioned to the district to handle drought situation and address drinking water problem.

He was speaking to media persons after visiting the vented dam at Thumbay on Sunday, April 28. The city is dependent on the water from this dam. 

Khader said that water is being supplied to the affected villages by 18 tankers which undertake 48 trips every day. The villages where the problem is acute happen to be Kandavara,Ganjimath, Konaje, Manjanady, Harekala, Belma, Talapady, Kuppepadavu, Chelairu, Iruvail, Pavoor, Amblamogaru, and Nellikar in this taluk and Naringana and Balepuni in Bantwal taluk. He added that water shortage is also witnessed in Sangabettu, Arala and Meremajalu gram panchayats, and based on need, tanker water would be provided to these villages.

The minister explained that in other taluk panchayat limits, drinking water is being provided though bore wells. "Out of four local bodies in the district, seven tankers have been supplying water to Mulky town panchayat through 30 daily trips, six trips by a tanker in Kotekar town panchayat limits, eight trips with one tanker in Puttur municipal limits, and five trips by one tanker in Moodbidri municipal limits. A control room has been set up in the office of the deputy commissioner, and needy people can call helpline 1077," he explained.

He noted that there is a need to undertake precautionary measures within Sampaje gram panchayat limits, which was devastated last year due to natural calamity during the rainy season. He noted that meeting of officials cannot be organized now because of the election code of conduct being in force. He said that discussions have been held with the district administration, and the administration has to make arrangements for a Natural Disaster Response Force team to be permanently stationed in Sullia for this purpose.

Water rationing

Khader said that the current water level at Thumbay vented dam is 4.90 meters and that this would be sufficient for 28 days if water is continuously supplied. He noted that if rationing system of supplying water for four days and taking a two-day break is followed, water supply can be sustained till June 15. He said that rationing is being affected on May 1 and 2, and depending on situation after two days, a final decision would be taken by the district administration.