2 feet away from water crisis

2 feet away from water crisis
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Bangaloreans better start praying for the rain. Water level at the TG Halli has dipped to 12 ft against the maximum of 74 ft. This means the reservoir has water that can last only for 10 more days. A dip by two more feet will mean BWSSB stopping lifting of water as it will touch dead storage.
Worse, the major lifeline, Cauvery basin, is under dry spell. In KRS, the current water level is 67.34 ft while the maximum is 124 ft. This, too, is approaching the danger mark as a dip by two more feet, will mean that KRS also reaches dead storage.
Though BWSSB has been providing 30 MLD water for the last four months, it cannot continue to pull through the crisis as water will last only till June 30. Though the city is getting 810 MLD from Cauvery, the water levels at Netkal balancing reservoir are not too encouraging.
A BWSSB official said the water level at the reservoir is depleting at the rate of three inches a day, including the evaporation losses. “We’ll be in trouble if rain continues to evade Bangalore. Rain in the Cauvery basin is not assuring. We have been forced to provide water once in three days.’’
The crisis seems to be deepening year after year, say experts. Last April, the output of water from TG Halli reservoir was 110 MLD. But this year, it is hardly 30 MLD. This also forced the BWSSB to curtail bulk water supply to industries by 10%, increase supply through tankers, divert 10 to 15% of water from Cauvery Stage IV by valve operation at Gubbalala, and repair of defunct borewells.
Many areas near Tannery Road, DJ Halli, Kushalnagar, Idgah Mohalla are already complaining of severe water scarcity. So much so people are buying water paying Rs 3 per pot.