Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 12: The water level in Thumbay dam that supplies water to the city and nearby areas is getting depleted by the day. If the city and its surroundings do not get rainfall soon Netravati river is likely to get dried up by the end of May.

At present the water level in Thumbay vented dam is five meters. Out of this 4.5 meters can be used as half meter silt is deposited at the bottom of the dam. In the AMR power project dam there is 17 meters of water above sea level and of this only four meter will be available for use. If the water situation turns worse then a small amount of water can be flown from Ruthwik project dam of Greenco company.

There is four meters of water available in Saralikatte dam that is lying below Uppinangady. This is not being used right now. The water is stored till Uppinangady and the water level in this dam will add up to another three meters.

At present, the water level in Thumbay, AMR and Saralikatte is sufficient. However, when the water is allowed to flow most of it gets dried up in the dry river. A major quantity of the water will be required to fill the huge craters that are formed in the river.

At present there is five meters of water in Thumbay dam. In a day or two there is a possibility of releasing AMR dam water into the Thumbay dam. Later, depending on the situation, water from Saralikatte dam will also be used. However, in spite of all these possibilities, if it does not rain, rationing of water will become inevitable according to MCC officials.