Mangaluru: With the water level at the Thumbe vented dam steadily declining amid rising summer demand, authorities have initiated the phased release of water from the AMR dam in Shamboor to replenish Mangaluru city’s primary drinking water source. Officials said the inflow from the AMR dam has already improved the situation considerably, with the water level at Thumbe expected to touch the crucial 6-metre mark by Wednesday night.

The move comes as a major relief for residents of Mangaluru, who had been facing concerns over a possible drinking water shortage following the sharp fall in water levels at the Thumbe dam over the past few weeks.

Water level rises after phased release

Authorities began releasing water from the AMR dam in phases starting Monday, May 11, after the water level at the Thumbe vented dam dropped to an alarming 3.30 metres. Following the release, the level gradually increased and reached 3.81 metres by Wednesday morning.

Officials monitoring the situation said the continuous inflow was expected to raise the level further to around 6 metres by Wednesday night. The increase is being seen as a timely intervention to stabilise the city’s water supply system before the peak summer shortage intensifies.

The Thumbe vented dam serves as the primary source of drinking water for Mangaluru city and surrounding areas. A significant drop in water level often triggers fears of supply disruptions and pressure shortages across various localities.

Sufficient supply for the next 40 days

Civic authorities stated that if the water level at Thumbe reaches the 6-metre mark, the available storage will be sufficient to meet Mangaluru city’s drinking water requirements for approximately 40 days.

Officials are also optimistic about the arrival of monsoon-related rainfall in the coming weeks. Rainfall activity has already intensified in parts of the Western Ghats region, which feeds the river systems supplying water to the dam.

Weather forecasts predicting additional showers in the coastal and ghat regions have further boosted confidence among authorities that Mangaluru may avoid a severe water crisis this season.

Residents who were worried about stricter water restrictions welcomed the development, although many continue to remain cautious due to the unpredictable nature of summer rainfall patterns.

Alternate-day water supply to continue

Despite the improved inflow situation, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to continue with the alternate-day water supply system currently in force across several parts of the city.

Since May 4, the MCC has been supplying water on alternate days to the Mangaluru South and Mangaluru North areas as part of a modified distribution strategy introduced to address complaints related to uneven supply.

According to MCC officials, the decision to continue the present arrangement is not due to an immediate shortage of water, but rather to ensure equitable distribution across all parts of the city, especially elevated areas that had earlier been facing low pressure issues.

Improved pressure in elevated areas

Officials explained that before implementing the alternate-day system, the civic body frequently received complaints from residents living in higher-altitude localities regarding inadequate water pressure and irregular supply.

Under the revised distribution method, water is supplied with better pressure and for longer durations on scheduled days, enabling elevated neighbourhoods to receive adequate supply. Authorities said the system has shown positive results and significantly reduced complaints from affected areas.

The MCC clarified that normal pumping operations are currently functioning smoothly at the Thumbe facility. Officials stressed that the existing supply pattern should not be viewed as strict “rationing” caused by water scarcity, but rather as a strategic management mechanism designed to improve distribution efficiency.

Authorities remain cautiously optimistic

With water now being supplemented from the AMR dam and rainfall activity gradually increasing in the Western Ghats, officials remain cautiously optimistic about maintaining stable supply levels in the coming weeks.

However, civic authorities have urged residents to continue using water responsibly and avoid unnecessary wastage during the summer period. They also assured citizens that the situation is being closely monitored and additional measures would be implemented if required.

For now, the replenishment of the Thumbe vented dam has brought significant relief to the city and reduced fears of an immediate drinking water crisis in Mangaluru.