Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 29: Drying up of Netravati and Kumaradhara rivers, lifeline of Mangaluru and other parts of Dakshina Kannada during monsoon has caused concern.

The vented dam in Thumbay stores Netravati river water which is supplied to Mangaluru city. However, the drying up of Netravati river in the month of August has given a severe drought indication in the coming year.

There are chances that drought like situation may arise in Dakshina Kannada well before the onset of summer next year. In some areas, only knee height water is seen in the river. Just a few days ago, both rivers were flowing to the brim. Now the inflow is very slow.

Thumbay dam (file photo)

Though the month of July saw heavy rains, the weakening of monsoon in August has caused river, ponds and rivulets in Dakshina Kannada to dry up.

In this year’s summer, as the monsoon got delayed, people faced severe shortage of drinking water. Rationing of water was done in Mangaluru city due to non-availability of sufficient water in Thumbay dam. The weakening of monsoon in August has caused concern not only among agriculturists but commoners too, as this will lead to severe water shortage in the summer months.