The threat of water scarcity is looming large  over many parts of the district especially the places coming under Kundapur, Byndoor assembly segments.

 The unbearable heat is also adding woes of the people. If the district fails to receive good pre-monsoon showers in the next couple of days, the area will face severe water crisis.

The ground water-level has declined over the years. Though some areas have bore wells but the water sources in these bore wells are said to be contaminated. Nearly 24 villages in Kundapur and Byndoor are crippled with drinking water shortage, with tanker water supply the last resort being opted by the local governing bodies.

 Areas like  Hemmadi, Beejur, Nada, Shankarnarayana, Trasi, Kalavara, Basrur, Belve, Tallur, Vandse, Yedthare, Kergal, Kirimajeshwara, Shiroor, Kavradi,  Kumbhashi, Byndoor, Paduvari, Koteshwara, Kedur, Gujjadi,  Karkunje, Hakladi, Amparu, Alur, Uppinakudru, Chitthoor, Mudagopadi are affected by the water scarcity to the hilt.

Complaints galore

A resident from Edur Kunjadi in Chitthoor Gram Panchyat Raghavendra D told Deccan Herald that people in and around the region like Mastimane, Karkalli, Golikere, Devsthanabettu, Kedagemane, Doddamane are suffering a lot and they have to walk kilometres to fetch a pot of water.

 “A dam was constructed here adjacent to river Souparnika under the Gundur Dam project, however a single drop of water has not been released to the people till date. If the water is released, it would benefit the people including farmers residing in six kilometres radius of the dam,” he pointed.

 Vijaylakshmi from Mudagopadi said they have to pay to get water. “We receive tap water twice a week. The water is supplied only for 15-20 minutes.  A family can get only 10 pots of water at a time. Sometimes the water that is supplied through tap is mixed with clay, making it impossible to use for drinking and cooking,” a frustrated Vijayalakshmi said.

Salt-water problem

People standing in serpentine queue in front of water tankers are a common sight in these areas. Besides, the worry of impending shortage of water, people in the coastal regions have another nightmare, the intrusion of salt-water content into their wells.
 Residents in Uppinakudru coming under Byndoor area the worst sufferers since the majority of the wells here are contaminated with salt water. Though the district administration has resolved to take up extensive measures to solve the water problems, the plans that are envisioned have failed to reach the people due to the apathy of the local administration. 

The water supply by the local bodies is being scheduled every alternate day segregating the entire region into two separate areas. But most of the areas are not getting water even twice a week according to the supply schedule. 

The residents in the local areas said that they hardly get water from the municipality taps once a week. Yedthare is another place where the wells that are newly dug offer only salt water. The areas like  Kudurehithlu, Upparamane, Byanadahitlu, Garjeenahithlu are also under threat of water scarcity.

In contrast to Kundapur, the areas in Karkala and Udupi are slightly manageable in terms of drinking water. The Udupi City Municipal Council  has taken precautionary measures to curb the problem. The CMC has made arrangement to supply water on every alternate day. If the rain fails to shower, then water level in both Baje and Shiroor vented dam will last only till May 15. 

Deputy Commissioner  Muddu Mohan said that the officials have been directed to ensure that there is no shortage of water. There is no dearth of funds. Water will be supplied through tankers, where there is no other option of rejuvenating the defunct water bodies, he clarified.

Meanwhile, Kundapur Tahsildar Gayatri said measures have been taken to curtail the drinking water problems in affected areas. Karkala Tahsildar Babu Devadiga added though there is no major water crisis,  water is supplied through tankers in Shivpura, Nitte, Kukkunduru, Nalluru and Neerebailuru.