Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 18: Water inflow into Thumbe vented dam on which the entire city is dependent for drinking water needs, has almost come to a standstill now. On Tuesday, the water level came down five cm to 5.95 metres from the usual six metres.

Till now, as there was inflow, water was released through one of the gates to maintain the level of six metres. Now that the inflow has stopped, this gate stands closed.

The city corporation officials say that about one metre of water gets exhausted in 15 days. If the level goes down drastically, water from AMR dam can be released into the Thumbe dam. The officials say that if it rains in Subramanya and surroundings during the next month, that will augment the water level in the dam.

However, the city corporation and the people have to save misuse of water as one should be ready if it does not rain till April/May. Last year, because of lack of inflow and hot weather, water rationing had begun since April 18. Some areas did not get water for a week then.

City corporation commissioner, Shanadi Ajit Kumar Hegde, says that water woes may not haunt the people of the city this time as the city corporation will manage the situation efficiently.