With the mercury levels rising day by day in the Malnad region, Kadur taluk is facing an acute shortage of drinking water.
The lifelines of the taluk, Madagadakere and Ayyanakere lakes, were full following sufficient rains during the last monsoon. But, as the summer has approached, the lakes are getting dry and the groundwater is becoming scarce. People and cattle are running short of drinking water.
In some villages, the gram panchayats have been providing water once in three or four days. The rural people leave their jobs on the days of water supply and engage themselves in collecting water.
The people in Devanuru region have staged a protest against the gram panchayat due to the poor supply.
Farmers have not been able to provide water to their cattle. The ‘Gokatte’, a place meant to provide drinking water to cattle have turned dry and are covered with weeds in many places.
Taluk Animal Husbandry Department director Dr Kenchappa said that there is no shortage of fodder as there was a good harvest of ragi last year.
Most of the farmers have a stock of paddy straws. There has been no demand for cattle fodder from the department so far. If the farmers need fodder, the department will provide the same, he added.
Kadur taluk has been declared as drought-affected and there is a serious drinking water problem in 130 villages.
The problem is solved in 82 villages, but about 48 villages are facing serious problems with drinking water.
Nearly 131 borewells have been drilled to provide water. But, out of these, water is found in only 104 borewells, said Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department engineer Shadaksharappa.