MLA Raghupathy Bhat said that there is enough amount of water to supply to the residents of the city for next 20 to 25 days. Arrangements have been made to accumulate water from rivulets in Gundyadka and Puttige by pumping water on alternative days to each area.
Speaking to media persons, the MLA blamed lack of rainfall in the district as the reason for shortage of water. He said Udupi has not received showers from the month of August. Until last year, the dam at Baje would overflow up to March 5 to 10. However, as the district had not received any showers during the month of November and December, the over flow in the dam had stopped during February 2 and 3.
The CMC was able to supply 24 hours water supply till May 13. From May 14 onwards, there was sudden decline in the water level in the reservoirs. At present water is being pumped from the dam near Mane bridge in Shiroor using three 110 HP pumps. The amount of water available in the dam is sufficient for the next 10 days.
Simultaneously two more pumps will be put to pump the water at Gundyadka and Puttige.
The three pumps working at Shiroor dam will be shifted to these areas. Together five pumps will be pumping water at these catchment areas and water is sufficient to provide water till June 10. Water is purified before supplying, he added. The MLA said that city is divided into two divisions to provide water on alternative days. Water tanks at Ajjarkadu, SP office, Indrali Vibhudhapriya Nagar, Indira Nagar and Parkala will receive water on the same day.
Tanks in Doddannagudde, Puttur, Kodavur, Bobbarepadai and Manipal are supplied water on the next day. Water supply for all these areas is limited to 9 hours on every alternative day. The MLA also said wells at Adi Udupi, Kodavur, Kudure-Kalsanka and borewell at Manipal Hudko colony will be recharged to make use of the available water sources. He said people can approach CMC helpline number for water supply through tankers if they are not receiving water.
He said banning mechanised desilting in the catchment areas and rivers has resulted in accumulation of hordes sand and concealing the water sources in the rivers. Regular dredging is needed for clear flow of water in the rivers. He assured to hold talks with Deputy Commissioner to permit dredging in the areas where the dams are built near Baje, he added.
The MLA congratulated the district for excelling in SSLC exams. He owed the success to “operation 100 per cent” programme taken up under the guidance of DDPI following the district’s poor performance in 2011 SSLC exams.
