Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, May 13: Drinking water is being supplied on alternate days in the city. The issue is still under control unlike those of earlier years. Almost all areas are getting water. However, the pressure of water is low.

Officials of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) are trying their best to make water available to all the wards. The reason for increasing scarcity of drinking water is due to the late decision to ration the water taken by MCC due to legislative assembly election pressure. Public is of the opinion that the MCC and district administration should have taken the rationing decision quite earlier.

Water rationing has begun in the city from May 4. City area and Suratkal are supplied with drinking water on alternate days. Water supply to construction activities and service stations is stopped. Tanker water supply is also increased in the city. Multi-storey buildings and commercial complexes are getting water from tankers as their demand is huge.

Water level at Thumbe vented dam was 3.83 meter on Wednesday. This may be enough for just 10-15 days even with the present rationing system. In addition, the water is getting evaporated from the dam due to soaring mercury. If the issue worsens, there are chances that the water may be supplied once in two days. The only way out is to use the water judiciously.

In the midst of the drinking water scarcity, certain rural areas and parts of plateau are receiving rains every day in the evening. This has rekindled hopes of issue of water being resolved soon. Officials say that if the rain amount increases and water begins to flow in rivers, the drinking water issue will get resolved fast.

MCC commissioner Channabasappa said, “All attempts are being made to supply drinking water to all residents of the city. Though elections are going on, care is taken not to burden the public with water scarcity. The amount of water getting evaporated from Thumbe vented dam is also increased. Water from down part of the dam is filled into the dam through 13 pumps. This has given some respite. Due to this pumping 50 MLD water is available every day.”