Water pumping resumes at Thumbe; supply uncertain

Team Udayavani, Aug 18, 2018, 12:13 PM IST

• Nethravati River reaches 9mts for the first time since 1974
• Tress uprooted

Mangaluru: Pumping of drinking water to Mangaluru city from Thumbe dam has resumed after water level in Nethravati River decreased to 7.9mts from 9mts on Friday August 17^th.

On Thursday, pumping of drinking water to Mangaluru city, Ullal and parts of Bantwal was stopped after water level in Nethravati river increased at Thumbe though all of its shutters remained open. The increase in water submerged the pumps and Mescom authorities were also forced to disconnect its 33 kv exclusive feeder line, situated close to the River Nethravathi

The pumping of water from the dam was stopped from 6:30 pm on thursday and was only resumed at 1:15am on Friday morning as the water level receded to 8.5mts.

This is the first time that the water level has reached 9 metres after 1974 when the river at Thumbe had touched 11.9 metres then.

If the water level continues to rise, the pumping will be stopped till the water level recedes. A close watch will be kept on the weather forecast. The water supply to the city will be continued uninterrupted, informed Mayor Bhaskar K.

Uprooted trees

Addressing the media the Mayor said that various parts on Mangaluru have suffered damage due to uprooted trees and assured that measures will be taken to clear trees that are in a dangerous position in different parts of the city. The roof of Government First Grade Women’s College was damaged after a tree branch fell on the roof. Also, an autorickshaw was damaged after a tree fell near Urwa. Another tree uprooted near SP’s office, causing damage to the electric line, he mentioned.

A proposal for Rs 15 crore has been submitted to the state government for the construction of a retaining wall alongside Thumbe dam. At a few places, the protective wall near the pump house had caved in following the heavy rain. As a temporary measure, polygeo fiber bags will be placed at places where the retaining wall has caved in, informed MCC Executive Engineer Linge Gowda.