Mangaluru: Thumbe dam water dips further; MCC to repair govt wells

Mangaluru, Apr 30: Water crisis in the coastal city may aggravate in the coming days with the water level in Thumbe vented dam depleting to 6.6 feet against the maximum level of 13 feet.

Now the only hope for Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) is the 2 mcm (million cubic metres) of water available at Disha Hydel Power Project dam across the Kumaradhara, a tributary of the Netravathi, near Kadaba in Puttur taluk.

However, water supply officials in the civic body are not sure whether the water will reach Thumbe dam even if it is released. According to them, 1 mcm would suffice to meet the city's drinking water needs for four days. Officials said the water might reach Thumbe dam only if the vented dam across the Kumaradhara in Uppinangady, which supplies water to Puttur town, overflows. This dam is in between Kadaba and Thumbe.

Meanwhile Harinath, the MCC Mayor, presiding over a general meeting of the civic body here, directed officials to repair all government wells and disconnect illegal water connections in MCC limits to ensure procurement and supply of drinking water in the city.

Stating that the MCC has been taking all possible steps, including identification of water sources in its limits, to manage drinking water supply, Mr Harinath said, the rejuvenation of lakes, such as Gujjarkere and Kavoorkere, will be taken up by the MCC in future.

Commissioner Dr H N Gopalakrishna said the water stored will last for the next 10 days in the current system of supplying water on alternate days. Hence, 100-120 sources of water, such as wells and borewells, have been identified in the city limits and water will be drawn from them. Water stored at Disha Power Project in Gundya will also be utilised, he noted.

Chairman of Town Planning and Development Standing Committee Lancelot Pinto said 22 tankers, procured by MCC from various sources, will be used to supply water to residents.

Executive Engineer Lingegowda said dredging is being done as 15 foot sand has settled in MRPL dam. Later, the valve can be opened to release water, he added.