Mangaluru may not face drinking water shortage this summer

Mangaluru, Jan 16: The past experiences have enabled the officials in the Dakshina Kannada district administration and Mangaluru City Corporation to take precautionary measures to face any drinking water shortage in the coastal city.

Kavita Sanil, the Mayor of MCC, said that the water level at Thumbe Vented Dam across the Netravathi, the main source of water to Mangaluru, was one metre higher than that maintained last year.

The Mayor, who visited the dam on Monday, said that the civic body will not resort to water rationing this summer as water has been impound up to 6 metres at the dam.

“Unlike last year, we will not opt for water rationing as there is sufficient water to cater to the needs of people everyday,” she said and advised people not to waste water. With the present water level, the corporation can provide water daily till June, she said.

There was a steady inflow of water into the dam, said corporation Commissioner Mohammed Nazir. “We are expecting the inflow to stop by next month. We will maintain this (6-metre) level all through this period (till June),” he said. Apart from 10.83 million cubic metre (mcm) of water at the Thumbe Dam, around 14 mcm water at the AMR Dam, which is upstream the Thumbe dam, will be available for use, he said.

Ms. Sanil said that she has acted as per the promise she made while taking over charge as Mayor and has ensured storage of water at the 6-metre level at Thumbe. She thanked, more so, the 37 residents of Sajipamunnoru, Bantwal Mooda and another village whose land was submerged after dam’s height was increased.

“Except for the portion of land that is submerged, I have not so far heard of any problem,” she said. These residents are being paid Rs. 39 lakh per month as rent. “If there are any problems, they are free to bring it to our notice. We will address them,” she added.