Ease drinking water crisis, take up drought relief: Mahadevappa

Mysuru, NT Bureau: District minister Dr H C Mahadevappa who reviewed the drought relief measures in the district at the Zilla Panchayat meeting hall in the city on Monday, asked officials to give top priority to tackling drought, easing the drinking water crisis and providing fodder for livestock.

He asked the officials to keep all the borewells functional and repair defunct borewells instead of drilling new ones. Officials can also hire private borewells and tankers if the need arises, he said.

Explaining the measures initiated by district administration to tackle drought, deputy commissioner K V Rajendra said that directions have been given to farmers not to draw water from rivers, canals, lakes and other water sources for agriculture activities as it was reserved for drinking water needs.

The district has also made preparations to utilize the available water in Harangi and Hemavathi dams if the situation worsens, he said.

Rural drinking water supply and sanitation department executive engineer Ranjith said that the district has listed out 134 villages facing acute drinking shortage.

The ZP has arranged private borewells for drinking water supply in 34 villages currently. ZP CEO K M Gayathri was also present.