<p>Davangere: “Four to six pots of water may quench the thirst of our family, but not our cattle. Many water sources have dried up, and the water levels in the borewells have dropped significantly. We do not know how to manage the water problem this summer,” laments Sandeep Patil from Bavihalu.</p><p>Bavihalu, a border village in Davangere’s Mayakonda constituency, has around 500 households and relies on four borewells for drinking water. While some of these borewells dried up during the summer onset, water levels in the remaining ones have dropped.</p><p>“Water is supplied twice a day, but it meets only a family’s needs. Since there are no ponds or lakes around the village, even livestock survive on the same water. Families with cattle are thus facing difficulty. The situation may be better if water is lifted from the borewell near the Kodaganuru lake,” Sandeep suggests.</p><p>Not just in Bavihalu, people in many villages in Davangere district are facing a similar situation. Water problem is slowly surfacing, and villagers are apprehensive that the situation might worsen in April last week.</p><p>According to the zilla panchayat, 197 villages in the district, including Bavihalu, may face drinking water problems during summer. This includes 74 villages in Davangere taluk, 38 villages in Jagalur, 29 villages in Honnali, 27 villages in Harihar, 18 villages in Nyamathi, and 11 villages in Channagiri.</p><p>Of the 726 settlements in the district, 500 villages fall under the ambit of multi-village drinking water schemes. These villages, which depend on the Tungabhadra River and Soolekere are not facing any water issues. However, villages dependent on borewells are experiencing difficulties.</p><p>“Borewells won’t dry up if there is water in the lake. Due to good rainfall in 2024, several lakes and ponds filled to the brim and have water up to half their level now. In our village, three out of five borewells meant for drinking water are yielding water. However, the water levels may drop as summer peaks. However, the situation will be far better than the previous year,” said M J Annesh, a villager from Naraganhalli in Davangere taluk.</p><p><strong>ZP’s preparedness</strong></p><p>To cope with the situation, the Zilla Panchayat has made alternative arrangements in villages vulnerable to water problems. It has identified 126 private borewells and entered into agreements with the owners. The services will be availed as and when required. The ZP has also suggested re-digging the borewells where groundwater is available. Also, task forces at the taluk level have been formed. A proposal has been submitted to the state government seeking Rs 2 crore fund. This fund will be used if necessary.</p><p><strong>24-hour water supply</strong></p><p>While some villages are facing water shortage, others in Davangere district have begun getting 24-hours water supply. On Sunday, the Zilla Panchayat announced that Hanagavadi in Honnali taluk would receive 24-hour water supply. On Monday, Kanganondanahalli in Davangere taluk joined the list.</p><p>“Drinking water supply system is being improved in Davangere district under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). In areas without sustainable water sources, we are trying to provide 24-hour water through borewells,” said Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Suresh Itnal.</p><p>Itnal said currently, water through tankers is being supplied only to Mahadevapura in Channagiri taluk.</p><p>“There was a water problem in Kadarappanahatti in Davangere taluk. But it was resolved by laying a 5km pipeline. The water issue in Jagalur’s Hanumanthapura too has been addressed,” Itnal said.</p><p>He added that water problems are faced only when the water-levels in borewells drop or in case of technical issues, such as motor repairs.</p>
<p>Davangere: “Four to six pots of water may quench the thirst of our family, but not our cattle. Many water sources have dried up, and the water levels in the borewells have dropped significantly. We do not know how to manage the water problem this summer,” laments Sandeep Patil from Bavihalu.</p><p>Bavihalu, a border village in Davangere’s Mayakonda constituency, has around 500 households and relies on four borewells for drinking water. While some of these borewells dried up during the summer onset, water levels in the remaining ones have dropped.</p><p>“Water is supplied twice a day, but it meets only a family’s needs. Since there are no ponds or lakes around the village, even livestock survive on the same water. Families with cattle are thus facing difficulty. The situation may be better if water is lifted from the borewell near the Kodaganuru lake,” Sandeep suggests.</p><p>Not just in Bavihalu, people in many villages in Davangere district are facing a similar situation. Water problem is slowly surfacing, and villagers are apprehensive that the situation might worsen in April last week.</p><p>According to the zilla panchayat, 197 villages in the district, including Bavihalu, may face drinking water problems during summer. This includes 74 villages in Davangere taluk, 38 villages in Jagalur, 29 villages in Honnali, 27 villages in Harihar, 18 villages in Nyamathi, and 11 villages in Channagiri.</p><p>Of the 726 settlements in the district, 500 villages fall under the ambit of multi-village drinking water schemes. These villages, which depend on the Tungabhadra River and Soolekere are not facing any water issues. However, villages dependent on borewells are experiencing difficulties.</p><p>“Borewells won’t dry up if there is water in the lake. Due to good rainfall in 2024, several lakes and ponds filled to the brim and have water up to half their level now. In our village, three out of five borewells meant for drinking water are yielding water. However, the water levels may drop as summer peaks. However, the situation will be far better than the previous year,” said M J Annesh, a villager from Naraganhalli in Davangere taluk.</p><p><strong>ZP’s preparedness</strong></p><p>To cope with the situation, the Zilla Panchayat has made alternative arrangements in villages vulnerable to water problems. It has identified 126 private borewells and entered into agreements with the owners. The services will be availed as and when required. The ZP has also suggested re-digging the borewells where groundwater is available. Also, task forces at the taluk level have been formed. A proposal has been submitted to the state government seeking Rs 2 crore fund. This fund will be used if necessary.</p><p><strong>24-hour water supply</strong></p><p>While some villages are facing water shortage, others in Davangere district have begun getting 24-hours water supply. On Sunday, the Zilla Panchayat announced that Hanagavadi in Honnali taluk would receive 24-hour water supply. On Monday, Kanganondanahalli in Davangere taluk joined the list.</p><p>“Drinking water supply system is being improved in Davangere district under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). In areas without sustainable water sources, we are trying to provide 24-hour water through borewells,” said Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Suresh Itnal.</p><p>Itnal said currently, water through tankers is being supplied only to Mahadevapura in Channagiri taluk.</p><p>“There was a water problem in Kadarappanahatti in Davangere taluk. But it was resolved by laying a 5km pipeline. The water issue in Jagalur’s Hanumanthapura too has been addressed,” Itnal said.</p><p>He added that water problems are faced only when the water-levels in borewells drop or in case of technical issues, such as motor repairs.</p>