Bengaluru cries for water as crisis worsens, needing effective measures

Bengaluru: Bengaluru is experiencing the worst water crisis in years with the sources fast drying up in the scorching heat, leaving the city bone dry.

The city faces a shortfall of over 1,500 MLD (Million Liters Per Day) in its daily water requirement, which ranges between 2,600 MLD to 2,800 MLD, NDTV reported.

The government is looking for alternative solutions such as treated and recycled water to quench the city’s thirst.

The spiraling crisis has taken a political turn, according to the report, with the BJP threatening to protest unless the government of takes ‘decisive action within a week.’

Siddaramaiah administration has announced measures including control rooms and dedicated helpline numbers to respond to the situation.

This comes as the 223 Taluks of 236 are declared drought-hit, with 219 facing severe consequences.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave assurance at the press meet of working to tackling the crisis, as the cost of water tankers have risen from ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 1,500, and recently peaking at ₹ 2,000.

As the summer is projected to be more scorching this year, an estimated 7,082 villages across the state alongside 1,193 wards, including those in Bengaluru Urban district, are at the risk of water crisis in the months to come.

Where Tumakuru district tops the list with 746 vulnerable villages, Uttara Kannada has the highest number of vulnerable wards, the revenue department reported.

Bengaluru Urban district with 174 villages and 120 wards is highly vulnerable to water shortage.

Given the situation, the government is exploring ways including regulating water tankers and using treated water for non-potable purposes, among others, to mitigate the situation.

Nevertheless supplying water in 120 municipal tankers and 232 water board tankers, the situation in Bengaluru remains critical, according to the report.