Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupli, May 8: Due to the pre-monsoon rains received in catchment areas, inflow into Baje dam from the ghat areas has increased. For the first time in the last 15 years, water storage in Baje dam has reached the brim in the month of May.

In normal course, Baje dam used to get empty during the first week of March and by April second week, water standing in pits along the river bed was pumped into the dam. By May first week, water supply by tankers was resorted to. But this year, Baje dam that looks after drinking water needs of the city has a water level of 5.71 metres. Barring 1.5 metres of dead storage, the balance 4.2 metres of water will be sufficient to supply water continuously for 70 days. If the monsoon begins as usual, the city will have no problem of water even during peak summer this year.

The city has 12,500households, 70 to 80 units in Manipal Industrial Area, 570 flats, a thousand commercial establishments, 600 hotels, and 40 lodges. 90 percent of commercial buildings in the urban area depend on the municipal water. As such, during the summer, hotels are making use of more water. Tap connections have also gone up to 19,200 now.

The water level, during May first week in 2018 was 3.25 metres, 1.66 metres in 2019 and 3.4 metres in 2020.

Assistant executive engineer of the municipality, Mohanraj, says that as a precautionary measure, water has been additionally stored at Shiroor by stacking sand bags.