JOIN USWater storage dips in Thumbe dam
Mangalore city, which depends on river Netravati and Thumbe vented dam for its water needs, is now likely to head towards shortage of water, if the catchment areas of river Netravati fails to receive rainfall in the next few days.
Speaking to presspersons during her visit to the dam on Monday, Mayor Gulzar Baanu said that the situation might not be comfortable this year. The water storage level at Thumbe dam is decreasing alarmingly. With the inflow of water reaching the zero level, the water storage on Monday stood at 8.9 feet against full storage capacity of 13 feet, thus forcing Mangalore City Corporation to take preventive measures to avoid any acute shortage scenario.
In fact, the Thumbe dam was full and was overflowing when the previous Mayor Praveen and Deputy Mayor Geetha Nayak offered Ganga Pooja on February 21. The storage of water stood at 12.8 feet on March 1. However, the water started decreasing due to evaporation as well.
She requested people to cooperate with the City Corporation in steps that it might be forced to take in the days to come.
She said “do not waste water and minimise the use of water till the situation becomes normal.” The Corporation is doing all it can to supply water, she added.
Mangalore had witnessed water crisis in 2003 when the water level at Thumbe had dipped to 3.3 feet.
No water to MCF
Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Dr Harish said water can be supplied for 45 days even with zero inflow to the dam. “With the rationalisation of water, the MCC will see that there was no acute shortage of water.”
“The MCC will reduce the supply of water to the industries. Accordingly, the supply of water to MCF has already been suspended. The MCF is given 5,000 litre water daily for drinking water purpose. The MCF was getting 2 MGD water daily when the dam had enough water.
In wake of decline in water level, supply of water to Ullal and Mulki has also been reduced. Ullal was receiving 2.5 MLD water earlier but now it has been reduced to 1 MLD on alternative days. Similarly, Mulki will now receive 0.5 MLD as against 1 MLD on alternative days.
“If the catchment area gets rainfall, then the entire scenario will change. Nevertheless, in case water shortage continues, we will still be prepared,” he added.
The Corporation supplies water to Gram Panchayats which is situated between Thumbe and Padil. “We have stopped the supply of water. In fact, we have written to the Zilla Panchayat to take over the maintenance of water supply to Adyar, Pudu and Thumbe Gram Panchayats.
The supply of water to these villages is incurring additional burden of Rs one crore to the City Corporation. These villages were getting 2 MGD water daily from Thumbe.”
Commissioner said adding that if the situation warranted, then the Deputy Commissioner might ask all upstream weirs including MRPL’s at Sarapady, AMR to release surplus stored water to avert drinking water crisis in the City. In case of adverse situation, we will make use of 200 borewells in the City corporation limits. Measures will also be taken to supply water through tankers.”
About 145 to 150 MLD water is pumped daily from Thumbe.