Mangaluru: Udupi looks forward to water crisis-free summer

UDUPI: A prolonged monsoon across Udupi district, which recorded second-highest rainfall in the state, has helped increase groundwater level and the water level at reservoirs in Baje dam and Shiroor.
The water level at Baje vented dam, which is one of the most-important water sources for the district, stood at 5.6m on March 4, as against 4.9m the same day last year. Though the inflow into Swarna river has stopped from February, the dredging work undertaken by the district administration and City Municipal Corporation at Baje dam and near Shiroor last year has increased the water storage here.
Udupi CMC commissioner Anand C Kallolikar said the situation is better this year. “However as a precautionary measure, necessary steps have been taken to face summer. Baje dam is the only water source for 35 wards coming under the municipality. We have categoised the wards under 24 zones to ensure water supply to even high-lying areas. There is enough water storage in Shiroor dam,” he said.
Water rationing was done to tide over crisis during March last year. “We do not see any need for such rationing this year. Udupi has always had enough water. However from 2017, it was declared as drought-affected district. Dredging, which is done at major parts of Baje and Shiroor dams, has increased storage of water. The CMC has also taken special care to fix leaks in the dam,” he said.
There are about 10,500 houses in Udupi city, 70-80 industrial units and 570 apartments in Manipal Industrial Zone. There are also about 1,000 commercial establishments, 600 hotels and 40 lodges. The city has a population of 1.6 lakh. Fourteen people are working at Baje dam in three shifts. “Special care has been given to protect the dam,” Kallolikar added.