Water crisis looms large over Madikeri as Kootupole goes dry

Madikeri: The Kootupole River that supplies drinking water to Madikeri in Kodagu district has dried up causing concern among residents. The river has dried up early due to the scorching sun and depleting ground water levels.

All the water sources that lead to the river have dried up due to scanty pre-monsoon rains. The huge influx of mud to the backwater caused by the recent natural calamity has only compounded the problem.

Right now, the water level in the river stands at less than 15 feet which is the dead storage level. As such, the authorities are finding it difficult to pump water. If rains continue to fail, then there will be a serious problem as there is the threat of the river going completely dry.

Meanwhile, Galibeedu and surrounding areas of Madikeri received good rainfall on  Thursday night and heavy rains has caused the breaching of the sand bund at Kundamestri, which was formed to store water naturally. The breaching of the bund has caused anxiety as the pumping of water from Kundamestri to Kootupole has been stopped.

As it takes some time to rebuild the sand bund, Madikeri town may run into severe drinking water crisis.  Apprehensive about the imminent drinking water problem, the Madikeri CMC has appealed the residents to co-operate. However, the people have urged the CMC to remove the silt at Kootupole and thus enhance storing capacity of the river.

Kootupole Dam is built on Kootu Pole at Hebbatageri village in Kodagu and the Dam is 8 kms from Madikeri town. It is a beautiful location with lush greenery around and the water overflowing from the Dam during rainy season and is one of the lesser known and visited places.

Water from the Dam flows further to Abbey falls also known as Abbi falls. The district had received record rainfall last year and despite this, the ghost of water shortage continues to haunt the residents. The CMC is supplying water to a few layouts from Pampinakere and an open well near Sudarshan Circle. However, many more layouts have been depending on water supply through tankers.

The Kootupole is filled with silt and the storage of water can be increased if the silt is removed. The CMC should show keen interest in removing the silt, said residents. Even the promise of supplying water from ambitious Kundamestri project has not been fulfilled so far.