Power crisis adds to water woes

The problem could be overcome only when it rains or power supply situation improves, officials said.

But one good news for some districts of north Karnataka is that the unprecedented floods of last year has improved the groundwater table.

According to Deputy Director of department of Mines and Geology Khyum Ali, north Karnataka may not face as much drinking water problem this summer compared to the past years. Compared to districts in southern parts like Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Tumkur, north Karnataka will be much better during the summer months, he added.
However, due to power supply problem, people have not been able to pump water in those places also, officials said.

No severe water shortage

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadeesh Shettar claims that there is no severe water shortage in rural areas of the State.

But at times pumping of water gets affected due to power cuts. For each assembly constituency, Rs 19 lakh has been released to meet drinking water demand, he said. Asked how money can help in meeting the crisis when even groundwater is depleting, the Minister said, “the problem will remain till it rains. The situation is not
serious.”

Temperature

With the mercury level rising, people are fretting, fuming and sweating. The scene is same across the State. There could be isolated rains in some districts in April.
However, there is no significant or abnormal raise in temperature in any district.
“April is always hot. There is nothing surprising about the present condition. We can expect pre-monsoon showers after April 16,” according to B Puttanna, Director in-charge, Meteorological Bureau, Bangalore.

He said even in districts like Gulbarga, where temperature touches 45 degree, at present temperature is normal - 42 degree. If the temperature goes up by another 4 to 5 degree, then there could be heat wave.

He said monsoon, as usual, is expected to begin in June.
In case of Bangalore, the mercury is hovering around 35 to 36 degrees in the recent days. The all-time record was 38.3 degree in 1931, he pointed out.
When it comes to coastal Karnataka, he said rain and thunder showers may occur at isolated places in the coastal and south interior districts in next couple of days.