BWSSB wants Irrigation Department to save water for Bengaluru
Annual requirement for the city is 19 tmcft of water and so far, the city has used up about 4-5 tmcft
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-09-07 06:33 GMT
Bengaluru: As drought-like situation is prevailing, the BWSSB has written to the Minor Irrigation Department to earmark at least 15 tmcft of water from the Cauvery river to Bengaluru till the next monsoon.
Due to the weak monsoon this year, the city is already reeling under scheduled and unscheduled power cuts. The major source of water to Bengaluru, the KRS reservoir is not full this time. If the water is not saved, Bengaluru will have a severe shortage of water this summer, warned Mr S.P. Rudramurthy, Chief Engineer, (Projects).
At least 15 tmcft of water is required to keep regular water supply to the city till June next year. Since KRS water is also released for drinking water and irrigation purpose to Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajnagar and Ramanagar districts, there is a need to use the water judiciously and carefully, he said. Though the monsoon entered the state on time, there has been inadequate rainfall at catchment areas leading to shortage of water in the reservoirs, he said.
The annual requirement for the city is 19 tmcft of water and so far, the city has used up about 4-5 tmcft. Going by the requirement, another 15 tmcft should be saved. A detailed report on the requirement of water will be submitted shortly, he said.
If no preventive measures are taken, the city could be in a situation similar to 2012 crisis when Bengaluru was parched and citizens had to shell out a lot of money to buy water from tankers.