The rare sight of a dry river bed at the confluence of River Nethravathi in town has left the people worried.
Nethravathi, the lifeline of Dakshina Kannada, flows in spate and submerges the temple on its banks during monsoon. Now, however, it seems like a dry land, due to poor flow.
The river, which takes birth in Samse in Chikkamagaluru district, flows in the Western Ghats through Dharmasthala. At Uppinangady, the river confluences with River Kumaradhara near the Sri Sahasralingeshwara Temple.
Distress
The dry river bed has created a distress situation in villages along the banks of the river in the district. If it fails to rain, the situation will only worsen. The river is the main source of drinking water to more than 10 gram panchayats. With a depletion in water level, the water supply has been affected – Uppinangady town is already facing a water crisis.
The water level in River Nethravathi recedes in the months of April and May. The flow of the river stops completely in some locations. Once the pre-monsoon showers lash the region in the first week of May, the river comes back to life. Owing to failure in the pre-monsoon shower and the continued sweltering heat simultaneously, the inflow has stopped completely.
Waterholes
Even the water level in the waterholes of the river has depleted.
Uppinangady Gram Panchayat president K Abdul Rahiman said, “The river has dried in Uppinangady. The Gram Panchayat, which is situated on the banks of the river is naturally facing a water crisis. The waterhole at Kaya near Kootelu has some water and the panchayat is lifting the water using a 10-hp pump, to supply to the residents.”