If no rain no water supply in Udupi after May 26

Udupi, May 12: The coastal city of Udupi may run out of water after May 26 if there was no rain by then. Even though the water evels at the Baje dam across the Swarna is constantly depleting, the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) has taken necessary steps to ensure water supply for couple of weeks.

The water-level in Baje dam on Wednesday was 2.25 metres. Last year, it was 4.17 metres and by this time, there were two to three showers in the catchment area. But this year, there had been no rain so far in the catchment area, leading to the decline. Another reason for decline was the high level of evaporation due to increased heat.

However, the water now in the dam was enough till May 19. If there was no rain by May 19, water from some of the deep pits on the river bed would be pumped to the Baje dam. This would ensure water till May 26.

Chairing a meeting of officials of the CMC here, Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj said that a real crisis may stare down the city only after May 26 if there is no rain by then.

To meet this exigency, the CMC staff had been directed to identify all open wells and borewells with perennial water supply in the city. The water from these wells would be then supplied to all 35 wards by the means of water tankers.

Already government wells and borewells in places including Moodabettu, Volakadu, Kodavoor, Kalmady had been identified. “Officials have been told to see if these wells are in good condition,” he said.

An emergency task force had been set up to take of water needs of all 35 municipal wards. “I have directed the CMC Commissioner D. Manjunathaiah to concentrate on water problem only till the end of this month,” he said.