Scarcity: Mangaluru urged not to waste water; supply only once in two days

Mangaluru, Apr 19: The residents of Mangaluru city will not get drinking water every day as the scarcity of water in the Netravathi, the main source of water for drinking and industrial purpose, has forced the Mangaluru City Corporation to supply water once in two days from April 20.

The Thumbe dam at Bantwal and AMR dam at Sarapady provide drinking water to Mangaluru city. The water level at Thumbe remains at 9.6 ft on Monday against the maximum level of 13ft. Water level at Sarapady remains at 13.9 metres against the maximum level of 18.9 metres.

The decision was taken at a meeting of officials of various departments and industries convened by district minister B Ramanath Rai on Monday. After the review meet, Rai said water available in two dams will be sufficient till May 12 if there is alternate day supply.

"Water storage in the two barrages is sufficient only for 12 days. The average rainfall in April is 50mm, but the city has not received rain as yet. Further, there is no inflow to Nethravathi river," he pointed out.

"Water will be supplied to all industries, including Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers, Special Economic Zone and New Mangaluru Port Trust only on alternate days. All open wells and other water sources in the city should be cleaned and borewells well-maintained," Rai said.

He said that the deficit in rainfall in Dakshina Kannada was 12 per cent in 2015. Its impact was being felt this year. He appealed to the people to use minimum water and not waste it.

Mayor Harinath said that the corporation would stop supplying water to construction sites from Tuesday. The builders who were getting water from the corporation would have to make their own arrangements.

J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru City South, suggested that the corporation to clean the open wells in the Bunder area and make people engaged in fishing to use the water.