Chikkanna, a farmer from Nyamakal village in Hosadurga taluk, had grown vegetables on four acres. Fifty per cent of the crop has withered because of scarcity of water after water sources in the taluk dried up owing to depletion of the groundwater table. If the same situation continues, the residents will have to struggle for even a single pot of water.
Rajshekhar, another farmer from the same village, said those who had got loans from banks and financial institutions were in trouble as they would be under pressure from recovery officers. The authorities should take steps to permanently solve the problem, he said.
Though the situation in other taluks is not so grim, the number of villages facing drinking water crisis is expected to go up in the next two months. The zilla panchayat authorities are making efforts to ensure proper supply of water.
According to official sources, zilla panchayat chief executive officer N. Manjushri had instructed officers to conduct a survey of villages in October last year and to submit a proposal for early release of funds.
Report
The officers prepared the report in three phases. In the first phase, a list of villages that may suffer shortage of drinking water in March was prepared.
In the second phase, the officers covered villages that may face shortage of water in April. In the third report the list of villages facing shortage of drinking water in May were included. They have sought Rs. 18.56 crore.
As per the report, Hosadurga taluk may face severe shortage of drinking water as the ground water table has depleted owing to the increasing number of borewells.
As many as 151 villages in Hiriyur, 101 in Challakere, 61 in Chitradurga, 63 in Molkalmuru and 68 villages in Holalkere taluk are likely to face water shortage, sources added.
The officials have suggested launching mini drinking water projects, hydro fracturing of existing borewells, drilling new borewells, and ensuring power supply to new borewells and old ones by paying pending power bills.
The officers have submitted a revised proposal to the State government seeking the release of funds in phases. A proposal has been submitted for the release of Rs. 4.71 crore in the first phase to solve the drinking water problem in 259 villages in March, sources added.
