T G Halli lake practically dries up

T G Halli lake practically dries up
Monday July 2 2007 11:30 IST

BANGALORE: The Tippa Gondana Halli lake, a major source of drinking water to the city, has gone virtually dry since March this year, and the western and northern parts of Bangalore continue to suffer.

BWSSB sources said it was a rain-fed lake. The lake gets filled if there is sufficient rains in its catchments - in Nandi Hills and Shivagange Hills. Though it has been a month since the monsoon began, these areas have not received adequate rainfall. Hence the crisis, said pointed out.

The lake was created in 1930 by building a barrage across Arkavathy river near Tippa Gondanahalli under the technical leadership of late Sir M Visweshwaraiah. Initially, the city drew 27 million litres per day (MLD) from the reservoir.

As the capacity of the lake was improved with the increase in the height of barrage and by de-silting, the supply capacity too was increased to 130 MLD. However, BWSSB drew 100 MLD on a regular basis till the end of February this year, said sources. Out of three pump houses, two were shut down.

“The problem is that we cannot draw water if the storage level is below 10 feet,” said a BWSSB engineer.

T G Halli lake supplies water to west and a part of north zone and the water supply is affected.