Karnataka’s capital city Bangalore is facing a huge water crisis even before the start of summer. Water tanker owners are charging and demanding huge prices for residents in Bangalore which has become a burden for all.
More than half of Karnataka’s bore wells have been dried up along with having less water resources to rely on. The Karnataka government is looking for a resolution over the huge water demand due to water crises to meet the demand. We have detailed what is happening in Karnataka regarding the huge water crisis.
Water Crises In Bangalore:
Residents in the capital city of Karnataka have been facing a huge water crisis for the last 1 week causing huge demand for water tankers and leading to long queue lines for water. The situation had worsened due to the low monsoon rainfall and as well as drying of bore wells in the majority of city areas.
The tank owners demanded huge prices as bore wells dried up and as well as they have been responding irregularly and on a priority basis of charges. It is being said that around 50% of Bangalore’s borewells are dried up alongside reporting low rainfall last year.
The government is looking for immediate measures to support the huge water demand in the city and after a resolution to avoid further crisis. The Karnataka government has introduced a takeover of irrigation and commercial borewells along with mandatory registration for every private tanker in the city.
Immediate Solution:
The residents of Bangalore have imposed strict restrictions on using water for several reasons that may lead to wastage/ shortage of water.
As per reports 6,997 out of 16,781 borewells have dried up and the government will be drilling new borewells in the areas that have good underground water levels. The government has issued guidelines for private water tankers alongside a takeover by the government that can support the water demand.
After a meeting on the water crisis on 5th March 2024, the government came up with a decision to transport water using government tankers that are under Karnataka Milk Federation. They will clean and deploy the water tanker to supply water regularly. The Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said they have set up a control centre with helplines and emergency task forces headed by local legislators.
Permanent Solution:
Among 236 taluks of Karnataka state, 223 taluks have been hit with a water crisis and 219 taluks were severely affected. This drought in borewells and less rainfall have affected the Cauvery water resources supply which is the main principal source of water in Bengaluru.
The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) stated that the drinking water crisis can be manageable in the central areas while it is a serious problem in the city outskirts. The Karnataka government started phase 5 of the Cauvery project which would decrease the demand for high water crisis in the state.
The project is estimated to complete by May 2024 which would increase the water supply to 110 litres for 12 lakh people daily. This project is being built at a cost of Rs5,550 crores which would also solve the water shortage issue of 110 villages in the state since 2008.
This project is further developed to support 13 new water sewage treatment plants that are going to be constructed. The government will start underground drainage works which are scheduled to be completed by December 2024 which lays a 228km long drainage pipeline. The 13 water sewage plants will treat 100 Mega Liters per Day (MLD).
Conclusion:
As per the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), the Cauvery Basin reservoirs have 44.65 TMC of water levels which decreased from 64.61 TMC water levels last year. The total capacity of the Cauvery reservoir basins is 114.57 TMC which has decreased over the years.
The Karnataka Government is taking immediate and effective measures to tackle the huge demand for water in the city which can be manageable. However, the same situation might arise in the coming years if the state doesn’t have enough rainfall, as the state majorly depends on Cauvery water resources after the borewells system.
Before You Go, Make Sure You Follow Our Newsletter For More Interesting Articles