Mysoreans brace for a difficult summer

If official fretting is any indication, summer has bad news in store for Mysoreans. With experts predicting soaring temperature, water will be a mere mirage for the city population.

On Saturday, the Krishnarajasagar Reservoir (KRS) in neighbouring Mandya district recorded 109 ft of water  against the maximum of 124.80 feet. If the situation remains the same, the available water may last only till April.

KRS executive engineer Vijaykumar told Deccan Herald that owing to the crisis there is also no inflow of water. The authorities have resorted to an on-and-off system to save the water in the source since January 12.

The on-and-off system entails releasing the water to the canals for 20 days and then stopping it for the remaining days of a month. As the reservoir also caters to 2.65 lakh acres of agricultural fields in  Mandya and Mysore districts, with Mandya getting the maximum share, the officials urge the users is to make judicious use of water.

The Mysore city requires 182 MLD of water per day. Though the KRS is one of the sources of water, the pumping stations at Hongalli and Melapura generate 248 MLD per day. But, there are leakages and illegal connections that affect the water supply.  The temperature is also expected to hit a new high at 36 degrees Celsius as against 35 degrees Celsius last year.

An expert at Naganahalli Agriculture Research and Meteorological Centre said the existing temperature, with slight cold waves, is not suitable for rainfall.