A severe drinking water crisis has struck parts of Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district well before the peak of summer, severely affecting daily life in 35 villages. The situation is particularly acute in Hanur taluk, which accounts for 26 of the impacted villages. Even Chamarajanagar town, with a population of about 1,00,000, is facing disruptions in its regular water supply.
Groundwater Depletion Triggers Early Scarcity
The primary cause of the crisis is attributed to a significant depletion in groundwater levels, a direct consequence of deficit rainfall in the region this year. As the rainy season has ended, borewells and traditional water sources have begun to run dry. This premature scarcity has raised alarms about an exacerbated situation in the coming hot months. In contrast, villages in Gundlupet taluk that are part of multi-village drinking water supply schemes, where lakes are perennially filled from river sources, are not facing similar shortages.
Administration's Response and Most Affected Areas
The district administration, through the Zilla Panchayat's Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, has swiftly acted by deploying water tankers to all 35 affected villages. Executive Engineer Santosh confirmed that tankers are supplying water to the most impacted areas, including the 26 villages in Hanur taluk. The worst-hit villages are located within the limits of Ramapura, Ajjipura, Martalli, Suleripalya, Dinnalli, and Huttur gram panchayats. Special attention is being given to villages on the fringes of forest areas in Hanur.
Lakes in Kollegal, Hanur, and Yelandur taluks have also run dry due to insufficient rains. The department has identified an additional 14 villages that are likely to face drinking water shortages in the forthcoming months, indicating the crisis may widen.
Urban Areas Feel the Pinch
The problem is not confined to rural areas. In Chamarajanagar town, disruptions in the distribution network have led to a shortage. The City Municipal Council supplies water from river sources only twice a week. Residents of Galipura, Muslim, Nayaka blocks, and several layouts are grappling with the scarcity, as highlighted by local resident Umeshnayaka. The situation underscores the widespread nature of the water stress in the district, demanding immediate and sustained intervention to manage the scarce resource through the summer.
