CHITRADURGA: Simmering heat, depleting groundwater and severe shortage of fodder... This has been the situation in Chitradurga district that has been facing drought for five consecutive years now.
People and cattle are facing severe hardship to get potable water as depleted groundwater has led to scarcity.
The district administration has taken steps to supply water through tankers in eight villages of Basapura, Obalapura, Rayapura, Maliyammanahatti, Rampura, Gudlur, Odobayyanahatti, Devasamudra and Thimlapura of Molakalmuru taluk.
Official sources also said that requests for supply of water through tankers are coming from Challakere and Hiriyur taluks and it will be taken up on basis of demand.
Chief Executive Officer of Chitradurga Zilla Panchayat Nitish Patil told Express, “Even though the situation of drinking water is under control, every passing day, the yield of borewells is decreasing, thereby becoming a serious issue. New borewells are being drilled at places where the yield of the existing borewells is decreasing. Intense monitoring of the drinking water situation is being conducted at all the villages. If needed, new borewells will be drilled and also tankers will be pressed to service.”
Urban centres are also facing a severe drinking water shortage. Major cities like Challakere and Molakalmuru receive water from borewells. Even though there is a project to supply water from Vanivilas Sagar to Challakere, it has not been functional. If the region does not see mid-summer rains, the problem is bound to intensify as the storage in the dams will also be depleted.
Fodder Banks
Fodder banks are being set up at seven villages and they will be functional from the first week of April. The banks will be set up at Muttigaranahalli, Myasarahatti, Rampura, Rayapura, Mogalahalli of Molakalmuru taluk and Chowlur Gate, Hirekere Kaval, Doddullarthi Kaval of Challakere taluk, said deputy director of veterinary and animal husbandry department, Dr Kantharaj.