The Dharwad district administration has ramped up its disaster preparedness efforts as the monsoon season approaches, while simultaneously ensuring an uninterrupted supply of drinking water for both people and livestock during the ongoing summer months.
Regular meetings of the District Disaster Management Authority are being conducted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. Officials have been directed to implement all necessary preventive and precautionary measures across the district to mitigate potential risks.
Drinking Water Supply in Rural Areas
In rural regions, drinking water is being supplied to 23 villages through 27 private borewells. Currently, no water tankers are being utilized in these areas. To meet the water needs in the taluks of Navalgund, Annigeri, Hubballi, and Kundgol, authorities have filled 60 drinking water ponds using water from the Navilutheertha reservoir. These ponds serve both human and cattle populations.
Urban Local Bodies
All five urban local bodies in the district, covering 100 wards, have sufficient water reserves. While 80 wards receive daily water supply, the remaining wards get water once every two to three days. No tanker supply is being used in these urban areas.
Within the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) limits, 13 out of 82 wards receive a 24x7 water supply, while others receive water once every two to seven days. A round-the-clock helpline (7996666247) has been established, operating in two shifts, to address any complaints related to water supply. Authorities have confirmed that 53 water tankers are on standby, with additional arrangements to be made if required.
Fodder Reserves for Livestock
The district administration has assured that Dharwad has adequate fodder reserves for livestock. With 2.3 lakh animals and over 4.8 lakh tonnes of fodder available, the district has enough stock to last nearly 47 weeks.
Lightning and Thunderstorm Safety Awareness
In the wake of lightning incidents during the pre-monsoon period that resulted in the deaths of one person, 12 large animals, and 70 small animals, awareness drives on lightning and thunderstorm safety have been intensified. Compensation has been provided in all cases.
People have been advised to avoid standing near doors and windows during thunderstorms, refrain from bathing or touching tap water during lightning, and seek shelter in buildings or pump houses if caught in open fields. Farmers and the general public have also been warned against sheltering under trees, swimming in lakes, or standing near electric poles, transformers, mobile towers, and wire fences during lightning activity. Livestock owners have been advised to keep their animals safely inside sheds during storms.
