While the Dakshina Kannada district administration is hoping for monsoon by June 10, it is also making arrangements to get more tankers to supply drinking water to people in case of a delay in rain. Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S. told The Hindu that the water level at Thumbe vented dam stood at 2.28 metres on Wednesday. With supply being stopped on Wednesday and scheduled to resume on Friday, water available in the dam can meet the demand till June 10.
In the eventuality of a delay in rain, Mr. Senthil said, the administration has prepared a plan B. “Now, we are using 40 tankers to supply water in the city. We are getting 60 more tankers,” Mr. Senthil said. “There is a high probability of rain by June 10,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada U.T. Khader said at a press conference here on Wednesday that the Mangaluru City Corporation opting for water rationing has helped in managing the scarcity situation in the city.
In the likelihood of a delay in rain, Mr. Khader said that one tanker each will be deployed for every ward in the city to supply water.
Finding no fault in the direction of the State government asking Muzrai temples to hold special puja seeking rain on Thursday, Mr. Khader said that it will be good if these rituals helped in getting rain.“Nothing moves without the grace of God. Temples now join the host of religious institutions that are holding rituals seeking rain. I hope God answers our prayers,” he said.
The expenditure of ₹10,000 for these puja rituals in each temple was for a right cause.
Asked whether the directions to temples was on the suggestion of Public Works Department Minister H.D. Revanna, Mr. Khader smiled and said: “Suggestion might have come from senior archaks (temple priests).”