JOIN USNethravathi river has gone almost dry before the expected time in Uppinangady
and the flow has stopped near Kumaradhara Sangama River.
River Nethravathi is supposed to be flowing during all seasons. The water level decreases only after March and in the April-May season, the river has reduced to a trickle. This time, however, the water flow has stopped even before March-end. Due to low rainfall for two continuous years, the river has not been in spate. Now, the river basin has become a barren land.
Inadequate monsoon
The monsoon in 2016 was the weakest in the seven years starting 2010. According to the weather report, 2064-cm rain was recorded from January 2016 to December 2016 in the region. The amount of rain received in the district recorded in the same time period in 2015, in contrast, was 2983 cm.
There was also no post monsoon showers this time, which is the main reason that the river has gone dry.
Water woes to worsen
With serious plunge in water levels in Uppinangady, the groundwater too has fallen drastically.
Shortage of drinking water is already being experienced and the water woes are expected to only worsen in the days to come.
DH News Service