Rains bring enough water for 15 days

The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Rains bring enough water for 15 days

The persistent summer showers, especially on Saturday night, have not only brought respite from the summer heat but have come as godsend for a thirsty Bangalore.

According to the Meteorological Department, areas around Thippagondanahalli reservoir, situated in Magadi taluk, recorded a rainfall of 4 cm on Saturday. The rains have increased the water level at the reservoir by one foot and it now stands at about 17.5 feet, Venkataraju, Chief Engineer (Maintenance) of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, said on Sunday.

"This increase in water level will help us extend the pumping of water for additional 15 days," he added. He ruled out increasing the amount of water being pumped from the 35 million litres from the reservoir stating that the water level would have to be maintained till the end of May.

Before Saturday, the rains had only raised the water level two inches, which was just enough to serve the needs of the city for a day. These rains are an unexpected blessing to BWSSB, which is finding it difficult to provide equitable water supply. Usually, the BWSSB is dependent mainly on the rains in October and November for the reservoir to be filled up.

Mr. Venkatraju said that till the water level reached 12 feet, the BWSSB would continue to draw about 35 million litres per day. "If it goes below 12 feet, we will reduce pumping to about 25 million litres per day," he said. But the water supply in the city will not be affected. West, North and areas in the north-eastern parts of the city receive water from the reservoir.

These areas include Chandra Layout, Vijaynagar, Subramanyanagar, Srirampura, Nagappa Block, Gayathringar, Malleswaram, R.T. Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Muthyala Nagar, D.J. Halli, and Pillana Gardens.