Belagavi will not suffer from water scarcity if rains continue for four to five days: Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi
Belagavi will not suffer from water scarcity if the rains continue for another four to five days, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said in Belagavi
Belagavi will not suffer from water scarcity if the rains continue for another four to five days, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said in Belagavi on Saturday (July 4). “The district is currently receiving moderate rainfall, and if there is good rainfall for just five more days, it will not suffer water scarcity,’’ he told reporters after a meeting with officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. “The onset of monsoon has been delayed by nearly a month. There is shortage of rain in most parts of the district. However, rainfall has begun in some parts of the district. If it rains continuously for five more days as per the weather forecast, tanks and other water bodies will be filled and the water problem will be solved.
As of now, there is enough water in the reservoirs of the district to supply drinking water for the next two months,” he explained, adding that there is no need for panic. The Minister said that in some places, there is a disruption in water supply due to technical reasons and delays in completing the 24/7 water supply project. “I have given strict instructions to the Belagavi City Corporation and other officials to rectify this and manage water properly,’’ he stated. “The district administration has taken the necessary precautionary measures to provide water through tankers immediately in case of severe water shortage in rural or urban areas. Some rural and urban areas are facing problems due to the negligence of officials or other reasons.
I have asked them to fix it,’’ Mr. Jarkiholi added. The Minister explained that the inflow of water into the Hidkal and Rakkasakoppa reservoirs, which supply water to Belagavi and surrounding areas, is slowly increasing. “This will supplement drinking water and agricultural activities. Farming activities have picked up across the district, and the sowing rate is quite good. The rainfall is currently slightly less in two to three taluks in Belagavi district, including Ramadurga. If it rains in these parts in the coming days, there will be no problem,” he said. Jarkiholi added that if the rains fail and the sown crops dry up, the government will not abandon the farmers. “A joint crop loss survey will be conducted immediately in the respective parts and appropriate relief provided,’’ he said.
On cloud seeding He said there was no need for cloud seeding in Belagavi district. “Prakash Koliwad, MLA, has taken up cloud seeding in Haveri district to help farmers of his area. However, the situation is not that dire in Belagavi district at the moment. There are indications that rainfall will improve in the next five to six days. However, if need be, we will opt for cloud seeding in Belagavi too,’’ he said. He recalled that cloud seeding was tried in Belagavi a few years ago.
The BriefWire