In response to last year’s acute water scarcity caused by rainfall shortages, Udupi district has embarked on a significant rainwater harvesting initiative. Under the leadership of the district administration and zilla panchayat, 213 rainwater harvesting systems have been installed ahead of this year’s monsoon season. These systems are predominantly located near government open wells and borewells across the district.
There are a total of 1379 government open wells and 1345 borewells in Udupi district, with 33 wells and 92 borewells equipped for rainwater harvesting this year. Additionally, 67 houses in rural areas and 21 houses in Udupi city have independently installed rainwater harvesting equipment.
In a proactive measure, the deputy commissioner has mandated the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in all government buildings. This directive has already been implemented in many gram panchayats and government structures, promising positive outcomes for groundwater levels and water conservation efforts in the coming years.
Dr. K Vidyakumari, the district commissioner, emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about rainwater harvesting to maximize its benefits.