Several villages and urban locales in Dakshina Kannada district are grappling with a looming drinking water shortage. While Mangaluru city’s water supply remains relatively stable, neighboring urban local bodies such as Ullal, Kotekar, Bajpe, and other vilages are experiencing acute scarcity.
Although the water level in the Thumbe vented dam across the Nethravati River has begun to decline in recent days, authorities have dismissed the possibility of implementing water rationing within the city.
As per officials, the water level at Mangaluru City Corporation’s (MCC) Thumbe dam measured 5.8 meters on March 16, slightly below its maximum storage capacity of 6 meters. Comparatively, the water level during the same period last year was recorded at 5.3 meters. The slight decrease from 5.9 meters on March 15 to 5.8 meters on March 16 is attributed to evaporation caused by scorching temperatures. Currently, MCC draws 160 million liters per day (MLD) from the Thumbe vented dam, which, without inflow, can sustain for approximately 50 days at maximum storage.
In response to dwindling levels, MCC has initiated the pumping of backwater from downstream of the Thumbe vented dam back into the reservoir using pump sets. However, the dam can only supply water if the level remains above 1.5 meters.
Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP reassured that the district administration is vigilantly monitoring water levels in all supplying dams. In the event of further decline, water from the AMR dam, located upstream of Thumbe dam, will be released. Drawing water for irrigation from Thumbe and AMR dams has been prohibited by official decree.
Additionally, water crisis management strategies have been activated, with tanker deliveries arranged for Ullal, Kotekar, and Bajpe areas. However, water rationing within MCC limits has not been implemented yet. Citizens are urged to use water prudently amidst the ongoing crisis.
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