Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 2: As the mercury rises, the scarcity of drinking water is felt throughout Dakshina Kannada (DK) district, with educational institutions being the worst affected.

The water level at Thumbay dam, the lifeline of water supply to the city, is depleting day by day. If it doesn't rain soon, water rationing will be inevitable. In such a scenario, it will be difficult to sustain various colleges with hostel facilities for students.

Most colleges rely on water supplied by Mangaluru City Corporation. Currently, only medical and dental colleges situated at Deralakatte have sufficient water, thanks to their own borewells and wells.

Pre-metric government hostels face no problem as students are already on holiday. However, post-metric government hostels will experience a shortage of drinking water. Out of the 50 post-metric hostels in Dakshina Kannada, 15, including those in Mangaluru, face acute water shortages during summer. According to Sachin Kumar, district official of Dakshina Kannada backward welfare department, they receive drinking water supply through tankers provided by the local administration.

More than 1000 students are studying at Konaje Mangaluru University campus, while over 250 students are studying and residing at Fisheries College in Yekkur. Although there is currently no acute shortage of water, they may need to procure drinking water through tankers if rain doesn't arrive within a week or so.

There are 7000 students on the NITK campus at Suratkal, with water supplied directly from Thumbay dam to the campus. To mitigate water shortage issues during summer, NITK has adjusted its academic year schedule. Usually, the semester ending in June now concludes by mid-April. Thus, B Tech students vacate hostels by mid-April, numbering around 2500. The rest of the postgraduate students, faculty, and staff remain on campus, with their water needs managed through water tankers.

Despite having fans in colleges, the simmering heat makes students uncomfortable during lectures. Afternoons pose a challenge for both students and lecturers alike. Commuting home under the scorching sun is also exhausting. Outdoor games are currently suspended due to the high temperatures.