Water supply in Mangalore turning critical
Mangaluru: Following the poor pre-monsoon showers in the catchment area of Nethravati river the city of Mangalore and its 5.4 lakh population is facing acute water supply. Speaking at the meeting with councillors and media representatives, K Channabasappa, Commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation, announced that the rationing of drinking water will be extended for an additional week in the city. In response to queries raised by councillors during the council’s monthly general meeting, the Commissioner stated that as of May 26, 2023, the water level at the Thumbe vented dam, situated across the Netravathi River, stood at 2.8m, whereas the maximum storage capacity is 6m.
He also mentioned that water from the AMR vented dam, located upstream of Thumbe, was released to Thumbe about a month ago. If a second release from the AMR dam becomes necessary, the Deputy Commissioner will be empowered to take decision on that. Additionally, water from the AMR dam is being supplied to 40 villages under the multi-village water supply scheme, hence it cannot be depleted to the dead storage level.
The Commissioner further explained that from May 5 to May 10, 2023, water was supplied to certain areas of the city through tankers, with approximately 40 to 60 trips made during that period. The frequency gradually decreased, and currently, water tankers are making around 10 to 12 trips per day. The Commissioner clarified that the water shortage issue existed even before the implementation of water rationing. He denied any connection between water rationing and the lack of piped water in some high-risk areas.
Addressing the councillors, Mayor Jayananda Anchan stated that the water distribution in the city is being carried out properly. However, his statement was met with scepticism from opposition members who argued that the reality differed. Naveen R. D’Souza, the Leader of the Opposition from the Congress party, raised concerns about the situation and urged the corporation to clean the wells. He also pointed out that certain high-rise areas still faced water scarcity. Additionally, D’Souza highlighted the slow progress in dredging rajakaluves (storm-water drains) and other medium and minor drains, despite the approaching monsoon season.
In response to the dredging issue, the Commissioner informed that the city has 11 rajakaluves with a total length of 50 km, which were divided into 22 packages for the dredging process. Nineteen packages have been completed, and the remaining three are expected to be finished by May 30, 2023. He further mentioned that approximately 75 per cent of the dredging for medium and minor drains has been completed. The corporation has identified 41 flood-prone areas and implemented measures to address any potential emergencies during the monsoon season, added the Commissioner.