Bangaloreans, be prepared to face severe water shortage in the coming days. On Monday, the water-level at the Shiva Balancing Reservoir (SBR), the point from where water is drawn to the city, fell drastically by two-and-a-half feet, falling below the minimum level for the first time.
Official sources in the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) said that if Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. does not enhance the release of water from the Kabini and the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) to a minimum of 600 cusecs at SBR, the drinking water supply situation in the city could turn alarming.
Worried over the fall in levels, the BWSSB has shot off a letter to Cauvery Niravari Nigam Chief Engineer (South) asking him to ensure that a minimum of 600 cusecs is released immediately to SBR.
“This is for the first time that the level has gone down by two-and-a-half feet. It will definitely affect water supply to the city in the coming days,” a senior official told The Hindu .
“It is learnt that only 450 cusecs of water is being released at Bhoruka barrage. It is essential that the release is enhanced to a minimum of 600 cusecs. The storage at Madavamantri and Satyagala barrage has also reduced to the minimum level, further decreasing the level at SBR and Netkal Balancing Reservoir (NBR). Unless the water flow is enhanced at the source, the situation may not improve further. Moreover, even if water is released at source (Kabini and KRS), it will take a minimum of two days to reach SBR and NBR,” the letter said.
Through the letter, the BWSSB has also reminded Cauvery Niravari Nigam that the Minister for Water Resources Basavaraj Bommai, while reviewing the water supply requirements on January 8, had instructed that drinking water supply needs should be given priority. “Please treat this as most urgent,” the letter added.
