District Collector and District Disaster Management Authority Chairperson Nagendra Prasad K. stated that the Ballari administration is prepared to effectively manage the potential drinking water shortage in the coming days, following a significant rainfall deficit compared to usual levels this season. He made these remarks while presiding over a meeting on Monday at the new district administration building titled ‘Current status of drinking water and precautionary measures to be taken.’
Nagendra Prasad K. directed that drinking water be given top priority in the water released from the Tungabhadra reservoir and instructed officers to immediately fill all infiltration reservoirs. He mandated that all tanks and dams be completely filled between November 15 and 20, while water is flowing in the canals. To curb illegal water usage, he ordered the formation of a joint task force comprising police, revenue, RWS, JESCO, and irrigation departments to conduct patrols and prevent unauthorized interception or pumping of canal water. He emphasized that the share of water reserved for drinking purposes from the reservoir must not be used for agricultural crops under any circumstances.
Strict monitoring was ordered in the Siruguppa area and along the Andhra Pradesh border, where illegal water lifting has prevented water from reaching tanks in the final stretch. He directed that unauthorized electrical connections be cut off with JESCO’s cooperation and that valve men and staff be supervised to ensure drinking water pumping systems do not remain suspended for more than three to four hours. The meeting was attended by District Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Haris Sumer, District Police Commissioner Dr. Suman D. Pennekere, Additional District Collector Mohammed Zubair N., Greater Ballari City Commissioner P.S. Manjunath, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Navin Kumar, among other district-level officials from various departments.
