Karnataka, significantly its capital metropolis, is at present grappling with a extreme water scarcity, a consequence of insufficient rainfall skilled in 2023. The Indian Meteorology Division has linked this shortage to the El Nino phenomenon.
The seriousness of the state of affairs is obvious as water tankers have been noticed on the residence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Kumarakrupa Highway in Bengaluru.
Deputy Chief Minister D Okay Shivakumar stated the borewell in his home in Sadashivanagar within the state capital has gone dry for the primary time. This occurred even though Sadashivanagar is situated subsequent to Sankey Lake.
Water tankers operating regularly on the Bengaluru roads have turn out to be a typical sight now. On regular days, the water suppliers used to cost Rs 700 to Rs 800 per tanker however attributable to extra demand, they’re charging someplace between Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,800 per tanker, in keeping with Shivakumar.
Water Tanker Costs In Bengaluru
Witnessing the surge within the costs of water tankers amid disaster, the federal government can also be mulling over fixing the speed for water per tanker. The administration in Bengaluru have additionally capped the costs of water tankers within the silicon valley of India
For supply areas inside a 5 km vary
– A 6000-liter tanker will probably be priced at as much as ₹600.
– An 8000-liter tanker will price as much as ₹700.
– A 10,000-liter tanker will price as much as ₹1000.
For supply areas between a 5 km to 10 km vary
– A 6000-liter tanker will price as much as ₹750.
– An 8000-liter tanker will price as much as ₹850.
– A 10,000-liter tanker will price as much as ₹1200.
The office-bearers of the Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWA) within the metropolis are dealing with the brunt of its members for doing nothing to save lots of them from water disaster.
“We’re a household of six members. A tanker of water lasts for 5 days even when we use it judiciously. It means we want six-tankers of water a month, which is able to price us about Rs 9,000 a month. How lengthy can we spend cash like this?” Sharaschandra, a resident of Uttarahalli in Bengaluru, instructed PTI.
Deputy CM Shivakumar, who’s answerable for Bengaluru Improvement, introduced taking on personal tankers and personal borewells to satisfy the water demand in Bengaluru. Even milk tankers will probably be used to provide water.
Talukas Declared Dought-Affected
Siddaramaiah stories that out of 136 Taluks in Karnataka, 123 have been formally declared as drought-affected, with 109 dealing with extreme affect.
In response, the Karnataka authorities has introduced plans to ascertain Taluk-level management rooms and helplines to sort out water-related challenges.
Moreover, Taluk-level process forces, overseen by native MLAs, have been shaped to ensure water distribution and guarantee an ample provide of fodder for livestock.
Summer season Arrived Early In Bengaluru
In line with IMD scientist A Prasad, there was an El Nino impact final yr, which is average this yr too however is more likely to decline, reported PTI. Its impact was evident as summer season set within the third and fourth week of February, which in any other case occurs solely in March in Bengaluru, he defined.
Bengaluru recorded 36 diploma Celsius temperature on Wednesday (March 6), the officer stated. “36 diploma Celsius was not the very best. There have been events when temperatures went as much as 37.three diploma in March, 1986 however that occurred in the direction of the top of the month. We nonetheless have 24 days to go this March,” Prasad identified.
The Bangalore Water Provide and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in addition to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike are below strain to offer water to individuals.
A BWSSB official stated the state of affairs is grim as a result of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in Mandya district from the place Cauvery water is provided to Bengaluru doesn’t have enough water attributable to summer season.
In the meantime, Bharatiya Janata Occasion MP Tejasvi Surya warned of protests in entrance of Vidhana Soudha if the Congress authorities in Karnataka failed to handle the ingesting water disaster in Bengaluru quickly.
Following a gathering with Bangalore Water Provide and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) chairman Ram Prasath Manohar, Surya stated that if the water drawback is just not resolved inside per week, the Karnataka BJP brass would lead protests at Vidhana Soudha.
