1,119 villages across Karnataka identified as vulnerable to drinking water scarcity
With Karnataka experiencing a monsoon deficit this year, the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department has identified 1,119 villages across the State as vulnerable to
With Karnataka experiencing a monsoon deficit this year, the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department has identified 1,119 villages across the State as vulnerable to drinking water scarcity, including 22 problematic areas in Bengaluru Urban. To ensure drinking water supply until September, the department has prepared a village-wise contingency plan that includes hiring 978 private borewells and 254 private tankers, besides deploying 35 departmental tankers. The private borewells alone are expected to supply water to 838 villages. The department mapped the extent of vulnerability across villages and gram panchayats and accordingly estimated the number of government tankers. It has hired private tankers and private borewells required to maintain drinking water supply until the situation improves. As per the department’s mapping, borewells are preferred wherever a reliable groundwater source is available, as they provide a more sustained and cost-effective supply than transporting water by tankers.
Bidar has emerged as the most vulnerable district, with 93 villages across 65 gram panchayats identified as prone to scarcity, followed by Bengaluru South and Shivamogga. In contrast, Vijayapura, Kodagu and Gadag are the least vulnerable districts, though a few gram panchayats have been identified for intervention. In Vijayapura, for instance, 27 gram panchayats have been identified, but no villages. Drinking water situation and water supply status Total districts: 31 No of Gram Panchayat’s likely to face drinking water shortage: 2,473 No of problematic villages: 1,119 No of departmental tankers utilised: 35 No of private tankers utilised: 254 No of private borewells hired: 978 No of villages water supply through private borewells: 838 Most problematic districts Bidar Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) Shivamogga Tumakuru Haveri Least problematic stories Vijayapura Kodagu Gadag Kolar Dakshina Kannada Source: Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department Data from last 10 years B.
Fouzia Taranum, Commissioner, Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, told The Hindu that the contingency plan was prepared after analysing drinking water scarcity patterns over the past 10 years. “We studied data from the last 10 years to identify the villages, gram panchayats and districts at the highest risk. Some villages face scarcity only in certain habitations, so we assessed how best to address those situations. The plans have been drawn up till September so that people do not face day-to-day drinking water scarcity,” she said. District-wise plan Explaining the district-wise planning, Ms. Taranum said, “For instance, in Bidar, seven private tankers will be utilised alongside eight private borewells to supply water to nine vulnerable villages. The State government has already sanctioned ₹117 crore for scarcity mitigation,” she added.
The BriefWire