With the onset of the monsoon delayed, Belagavi city is grappling with a severe drinking water crisis as water levels in the Rakkaskoppa and Hidkal reservoirs have dropped significantly.
In a move to manage the dwindling supplies, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has announced emergency water rationing measures effective immediately.
Revised Water Supply Schedule
The Corporation has issued a new schedule to ensure equitable distribution of the remaining water:
- 24/7 Supply Zones: Areas previously receiving continuous water supply will now be restricted to two hours of supply per day.
- Rotational Supply Zones: Areas currently receiving water every 4 to 5 days for a 3–4 hour window will see their supply duration reduced to 1 to 1.5 hours.
Emergency Mitigation Efforts
To supplement the city’s water requirements, the municipal authorities have taken the following steps:
- Alternative Sources: Officials have ensured that 745 borewells and 68 open wells are fully functional and equipped with the necessary machinery to serve as secondary water sources for residents.
- Public Advisory: The Commissioner of the Belagavi City Corporation has urged citizens to practice extreme caution in water consumption.
Residents are advised to:
- Boil and cool water before consumption to ensure safety.
- Use water judiciously and sparingly, avoiding all non-essential usage.
The city is closely monitoring the situation as authorities hope for imminent monsoon rainfall to replenish the critical reserves of the Rakkaskoppa and Hidkal dams.
