JOIN USVirajpet taluk has been staring at a severe water crisis in the coming months following a deficit in the south west as well as north east monsoon. Water in River Cauvery that flows in the taluk has declined drastically.
With water crisis already looming large in a few villages, the residents are worried over how to tackle the situation for another three months till the region gets south west monsoon. Ammathi, Virajpet, Balele, Karmadu, Badaga, Banangala, Kakotuparambu, Kadanooru, Boikeri and Gandadagudi colony are facing acute water crisis.
Facing the heat
The residents are already facing the heat of shortage of drinking water at Boikeri. The water level in 12 public wells in the village has reached rock bottom and the labourers finding it difficult to draw water.
“To fill one pot of water, we have to draw water at least for eight to 10 times in these wells. Though a water project to lift water from Kadanooru stream was initiated 20 years ago, it is not being used for supplying for the residents,” alleged the residents. The residents are forced to walk for one and a half kilometre to fetch a pot of water from stream. Though the zilla panchayat had sunk a borewell recently, it is yet to be commissioned.
The cattle are also facing water crisis. Though the authorities have sunk a few borewells, the crisis has not been solved. Water level in Kadanooru stream has also declined drastically.
Kadanooru Gram Panchayat former member Ammunichanda Raja Nanjappa said, “Though the gram panchayat claims that Rs 60 lakh action plan has been prepared to solve drinking water woes in Boikeri, we do not know when will it be implemented.” The shortage of water will have its impact on the coffee yield, according to some coffee planters.