Asianet NewsableAsianet Newsable

State could be facing worst water crisis ahead

  • Over 1,200 villages have acute drinking water shortage
  • 2,363 tankers engaged to supply water twice a day
  • District administrations have been instructed to be prepared to face drought
  • Emergency funds of Rs 12 crore are already released
  • The State government is prepared to face shortage of rains
Drinking water scarcity even during rainy season

Even during monsoon, the State is reeling under drinking water scarcity. Over 1,200 villages have acute drinking water shortage and the State government has made arrangements to supply water through 2,363 tankers, reports Kannada Prabha. In the same period, last year there are scanty complaints of water shortage and 300 tankers were engaged in supplying water. This year, however, the number of tankers has gone up to 2,363 indicating worst drought ahead.

Barring Raichur, Yadagiri and Kodagu districts, all districts are facing drinking water shortage. The worst case is in Vijayapura. Besides, districts like Hassan, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Chikkamagaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapura are facing severe drinking water crisis by the day. A total of 1,205 villages in the state are being supplied water by tankers twice a day.

The worried Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Departments officials have already held two rounds of meeting with the the respective deputy commissioners. They fear worst days ahead. The district administration has already been instructed to be prepared to face worst drought situation.  Each district administration has Rs 4 crore and the State government has decided to increase the allocation. For those district administration where emergency funds are in shortage, Rs 12 crore is already released. Instructions have been given to identify villages with acute water shortage and take up relief measures. It has been decided to utilise the bore well for the time being and as much as possible pumpsets from farmers are being engaged on rent to draw out water, said officials.

The strange case of drinking water shortage in July itself is an indication of untimely scarcity. The shortage of rains in June and July is 38 per cent. Total rainfall in July - previous year - was 232 mm and in the current year it is 173 mm. Though State suffered drought previous year,  good rains later had compensated crops to some extent. However, this year even in July, the monsoon did not improve. If rains fail in August there will be difficult days ahead, say officials.

State Revenue Department, Disaster Management Centre Director Rajkumar Khatri said there should not be drinking water shortage during monsoon. But this year it is acute. It may intensify further. The State government is prepared to face shortage of rains. The district administration is also prepared to face adverse situation, reports Kannada Prabha.

 

Follow Us:
Download App:
  • android
  • ios