Madikeri: The ongoing heat wave has significantly reduced the water flow in the Cauvery River, causing concern among authorities responsible for drinking water supply. In Somwarpet, officials are struggling to maintain water access and have resorted to placing sandbags across the river at Hebbale to redirect the dwindling water towards the pumping unit.
Water Supply Challenges
The water pumped from Hebbale is sent to a purification unit near the Hebbale gram panchayat. After treatment, it supplies water to 16 villages under seven gram panchayats, including Shirangala on the Kodagu-Kudige border, Kudumangalur, Thorenur, Hebbale, Shirangala, and Mullusoge in Kushalnagar taluk. However, with the river's water level dropping sharply, staff are now working tirelessly to place sandbags in the riverbed to ensure the water flows towards the pumping unit.
Power Infrastructure Development
Meanwhile, construction of a 66 kV capacity power substation at Siddapur is progressing and is expected to be completed by September next year. This substation will address long-standing electricity issues in the region. Currently, the Siddapur station supplies power to villages such as Nellihudikeri, Guhya, Maldare, Injilagere, Pallakere, Chennayyankote, Yadur, Pollibetta, Chennangi, and Siddapur. The supply is routed from 33 kV units at Ponnampet, Suntikoppa, and Virajpet Central. Due to this dependency, disruptions or major maintenance work in the Virajpet area often leads to power cuts in Siddapur and surrounding villages.
With the commissioning of the new 66 kV substation, continuous and more reliable power supply is anticipated for villages within a 10 km radius, according to CESC assistant executive engineer Nagesh.
