1,119 villages across Karnataka identified as vulnerable to drinking water scarcity

With Karnataka experiencing a monsoon deficit this year, the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department has identified 1,119 villages across the State as vulnerable to drinking water scarcity, including 22 problematic areas in Bengaluru Urban.

To ensure drinking water supply until September, the department has prepared a village-wise contingency plan that includes hiring 978 private borewells and 254 private tankers, besides deploying 35 departmental tankers. The private borewells alone are expected to supply water to 838 villages.

The department mapped the extent of vulnerability across villages and gram panchayats and accordingly estimated the number of government tankers. It has hired private tankers and private borewells required to maintain drinking water supply until the situation improves. As per the department’s mapping, borewells are preferred wherever a reliable groundwater source is available, as they provide a more sustained and cost-effective supply than transporting water by tankers.