Water scarcity: Mayor cracks whip, supply to industries to be stopped

Mangalore, March 26: Gulzar Banu, Mayor, Mangalore City Corporation, visited Thumbay dam for an inspection of water level on Monday.

Speaking to media persons after taking stock of the situation at the dam, Ms. Banu said that there has been a considerable dip in water level at the dam and that the Corporation will take steps to manage the dam's water resources for the days to come after consultation with the Deputy Commissioner. “The water supply to industries will be stopped and priority will be given to addressing the water needs of people. I request the people to also limit the usage of water and use it cautiously”, she appealed.

The level on Monday stood at 8'-9”ft while about a month ago, it was more than 13 ft on the occasion of Ganga Puja at the dam. The dip in water level has been alarming this year as compared to water levels recorded on the same date (March 26) in years 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 which stood at 12'-0”, 11'-8”, 13'-0”, 12'-3”, and 12'-2” respectively.

Dr. Harish, Commissioner, Mangalore City Corporation, said that in the wake of reduction in water level, supply to Ullal and Mulky has also been reduced. Ullal would get about 2.5mld of water earlier but now it has been reduced to 0.5 mld which is being released once in three days or so. Similarly, Mulky will now receive 0.5 mld on a similar frequency. “The dam, in its full capacity, and with 24 hours of water supply (145 mld), can fulfill water needs for 45 days. Now there has been a dip in water level so the supply would be reduced and the frequency too. The river inflow has reduced and evaporation too is taking place faster these days. We request people to be more cautious in their water spending and cooperate with the MCC if it takes tough measures. We are hopeful of rains in catchment areas and if that happens, the entire scenario will change. Nevertheless, in case water shortage continues, we will still be prepared and bring the borewell and tanker services into play”, the Commissioner said.

Responding to mediapersons' query on the leakage of water in Bendoorwell, Dr. Harish said that such leakage problems are being caused due to fluctuating pressure and the old pipeline system. “The Chief Minister in his budget speech has spoken about 24x7 water supply programme under which fresh pipelines will be laid which will ensure that there is uniform pressure and hopefully this problem will be solved”, he said.

Concerned authorities of the dam informed mediapersons that this is the worst water level dip the dam has seen since May 2003. They also said that in 1988, there was an instance of the entire dam drying up.

On Sunday, MLA Yogish Bhat had also expressed concerns of decreasing water level at the dam stating that it was merely sufficient for nine more days. However, the Commissioner of MCC and engineers at the dam on Monday said that the dam has a capacity to fulfill water needs for a longer duration as opposed to Mr. Bhat's calculation. “With controlled supply and reduced frequency, it will be available for a longer period of time”, the Commissioner said.