Mandya: In view of rising summer temperatures and increasing water scarcity concerns, deputy commissioner Kumara on Monday directed officials to take immediate and priority measures to resolve drinking water problems in both rural and urban areas of Mandya district.Officials informed the meeting that private borewells are currently being used to supply drinking water in 15 villages, while tanker water supply arrangements have been made in two villages facing acute shortages.Chairing a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority at the DC’s office, Kumara reviewed the district’s current drinking water situation and instructed officials to conduct field visits to assess ground realities directly. The deputy commissioner emphasised that officials must personally visit severely affected villages, understand local difficulties firsthand, and ensure timely and effective solutions. He issued instructions to all departments concerned to monitor the yield of existing borewells and take precautionary measures to prevent water shortages until the end of the summer season.Kumara directed tahsildars, taluk panchayat executive officers and officials of the rural water supply department to act swiftly and decisively to prevent public inconvenience. Stressing the seriousness of the issue, he clarified that there is no shortage of govt funds for drinking water management and urged officials to focus on rapid implementation rather than procedural delays.Taking a firm stand against illegal water usage, the DC stated that unauthorised extraction of water from rivers, lakes and other waterbodies using pumpsets is unlawful and adversely affects public drinking water availability. He ordered the formation of joint enforcement teams comprising tahsildars, taluk panchayat executive officers, CESCOM officials and police department to immediately inspect riverbank areas and disconnect electricity supply to illegal pumpsets.He also stressed the need for continuous monitoring of water purification plants and directed officials to conduct regular water quality testing to ensure safe drinking water for the public. On the livestock front, the DC assured that the district currently has sufficient fodder reserves to meet requirements for the next 40 weeks.
