Fast depletion of water in Thumbe dam causes concern

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) is hoping for rains in the catchment areas of Thumbe dam in Bantwal taluk so that the city avoids water scarcity.
The water level in the dam across Nethravati river has reduced by more than a meter in the past 20 days and on Monday the reservoir had only 3.14 meters of storage. On Sunday, the dam had 3.27 meters of water, against the maximum level of six meters.
Water level in the dam is getting reduced by 4 - 5cms every day and pumping will not be possible if the storage goes below two meters. Though the district has received rainfall at various places on Sunday, Nethravathi river is yet to receive inflow.
The depletion of water level in the dam this year is very fast compared to previous years. While the water level on Monday was 3.14 meters, the reservoir had five meters of water on May 22, 2022 and on the same day in 2021. In 2020, the water level on May 22 was 5.6 meters.
The dam caters to the drinking water supply to 60 wards of Mangaluru city, Ullal city municipality, Mulki and other villages. About 160 MLD of water was being pumped to Mangaluru daily from Thumbe.
Though the new dam has a capacity to store water up to seven metres, storage is limited to six meters to prevent submersion of farmland in the surrounding village. MCC officials expressed hope that the catchment areas of Thumbe dam will get rain within a day or two. Sources added that the district administration may also decide to release water from AMR dam on the upstream of Thumbe dam if the situation worsens.
Meanwhile, Capt Ganesh Karnik, BJP state spokesperson, said the government should not reopen schools until the onset of monsoon.
“The state government has issued a circular announcing the opening of primary and high schools in the state from May 29. Postponing the date reopening is essential considering the situation of soaring temperature and scarcity of water. The government should evaluate the situation and take a decision to open schools after the first week of June,” Karnik stated in a letter to chief minister Siddaramaiah.