Mangaluru: The water available at the Thumbe dam is sufficient only for six days, District in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai was informed on Thursday at a meeting convened here in the city.
The water-level in the Thumbe dam on the Nethravathi stood at 5.5ft on Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim suggested to Mangaluru City Corporation to pump water once in three days and during the non-pumping days, dredge silt at the weir so that the available water reaches the jack-wells. He also suggested MCC to secure private open wells as well as borewells to supply water to the city.
During the meeting DC said that the piped water supply could be stretched till May 21. The order banning water supply to industrial and agricultural purposes has been extended till May 24, he added.
As many as 90 unused open wells have been identified, of which 10 government and 13 private wells have been cleaned. Water in six wells was found potable while water in the others could be used for non-potable purposes. As many as 22 points for sinking borewells have been identified, and six borewells were sunk and pumps were installed, informed Corporation Commissioner H.N. Gopalakrishna.
The corporation has deployed 18 water tankers, six in Surathkal region and 12 in the city to supply water to the needy.
Mayor M. Harinath said that the corporation is procuring about 25 fibre water tanks which can be loaded on pick-up vans to supply water to residents in the hilly areas.
Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader, MLA J.R. Lobo and MLC Ivan D’ Souza and other officials were present.
