Water tankers work overtime as summer raises heat in Mysuru

This year's unprecedented drought has not only affected agriculture and lives of farmers, but has even touched those residing in urban areas.

Several localities in the city are not getting regular water. With borewells already going dry, residents are finding hard to get water to meet their daily requirements. Most of the residents are forced to depend on water tankers.

Though officials claim that the services of the regular water supply has not been affected, Mysore City Corporation receives daily around 20 complaints related to disruption in water supply from areas like Saraswathipura, Siddarthalayout, Kesare, Udayagiri, TK Layout, Naidu Nagar Sharadadevi Nagar, Datagalli, Nazarbad, NR Mohalla, Naidu Nagar, Kalyangiri and several other localities.

In the meanwhile, water suppliers are busy making several trips to help residents get water in time. There are 22 water tankers in the city which makes on an average 6-7 trips per day. The water to these tankers is filled from Vijayanagar, VVWS, Devanur, Yeraganahalli, Kuvempunagar which are then supplied to residents. An average 150 to 160 trips of water load is distributed every day.

According to tankers water supply in-charge Basavaraj the number of trips this year has considerably increased compared to previous years.

“Last year we did on an average 4-5 trips per day, whereas this year we are making 6-7 trips. Most of the residents in NR Mohalla get their daily water supply only through tankers, and parts of Kuvempunagar, Datagalli, Vijayanagar, Kesare, Naidu Nagar are supplied as per the demand. We make sure water is supplied to all localities, who register complaint.”

Sources in the VVWS said that the problem in water supply is due to frequent power cuts. 'If power fails it takes hours together, to get water pumping. Whereas, the decrease in KRS water level is alaraming and we have to gear up to face the coming days.'

Menu have been changed in old age homes

Increase in mercury level has disrupted the normal life in urban areas. The City has not even witnessed a rain keeping the city always on the boil. Elderly people and babies are the most vulnerable. Unable to bear the heat, most of the old age homes in the city are being provided with cotton sarees and menu has been changed.

Liquid based food and fruits like water melons, bananas, cucumber, organge, lime juice are offered in good quantity at old age homes. This apart, they are given less spicy items and easily digestable food. While, some of the old age homes are asking the people willing to offer food, to replace with fruits.

Bapuji Old age home manager Nanda said that fruits and less spicy items are provided for old people. Shalini Home for the Aged and Care Giving Center Secretary Raju said that as per the suggestions by nutritionist diet is planned as most of them are diabetic.

What residents say.....

Vanitha, a resident of Nazarbad said: “We are not getting water from tankers daily. Last week we received water from tankers only twice. As all the borewells have gone completely dry they have been closed.'

Parveen, a resident of Mandi Mohalla said: 'Last week we received water from tankers thrice. Along with power cut and inadequate supply of water we are facing lot of problems. Added to this, it has become hard to beat this summer heat.'