93 gram panchayats in Udupi district likely to face water shortage in summer

Udupi district's 93 gram panchayats may face summer water shortages; officials urged to ensure water availability for residents and livestock.

Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa on Thursday, March 5, directed officials concerned to ensure that the district does not face any drinking water problems in the coming days since 93 gram panchayats (GPs) out of 155 and 24 wards of the town panchayats in Udupi district are expected to face drinking water shortage in the summer.

Chairing the district disaster management committee meeting at Rajatadri, the district office complex in Manipal, Ms. Swaroopa said 14 GPs in Karkala, 36 in Kundapur, 15 in Byndoor, nine in Udupi, 13 in Brahmavara, four in Kapu, and two GPs in Hebri taluks were expected to experience drinking water shortage during the summer as per reports. Also, five wards in Saligrama and 19 in Byndoor Town Panchayats were expected to experience shortages.

The DC asked officials concerned to immediately check on the situation and submit reports within two days so as to enable the administration to take up mitigation works. Though water was available now for people and livestock, every step should be taken to ensure they continue to receive water even at the peak of the summer season.

Ms. Swaroopa said that, along with keeping government wells and lakes clean, animals and birds should be provided with drinking water.

Taluk-level task force committee meetings should be convened under the chairmanship of local people’s representatives to discuss measures to ensure that water problems do not arise in the taluk in the future, and a plan should be formulated for the same, she said.

She also noted that there has been no fodder shortage for cattle in the district in the last 5 years. Currently, there is only enough stock in all taluks for the next 38 weeks.