Belagavi, April 7: Rising temperatures and rapidly depleting water sources have pushed Belagavi district toward a looming drinking water crisis, with officials warning that the situation could worsen in the coming weeks.
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According to district administration sources, over 126 villages have been identified as vulnerable to water shortages, including 32 villages already classified as severely water-scarce. In several of these areas, drinking water is currently being supplied through private borewells as an emergency measure.
Despite being home to major rivers such as the Krishna and its tributaries—Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Vedaganga, Dudhaganga, Hiranyakeshi, and Markandeya—water levels across reservoirs, rivers, open wells, and borewells have dropped sharply due to intense summer heat and high evaporation rates.
The Hidkal and Rakaskoppa reservoirs, which serve as key drinking water sources for Belagavi city, are witnessing significant decline. Officials stated that siltation has reduced Hidkal reservoir’s storage capacity, and its current level of around 20 TMC is expected to last only about 45 days.
Urban areas are also showing signs of groundwater depletion. In response, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has earmarked ₹25 lakh in its budget to improve water supply by reviving open wells and drilling new borewells where necessary.
Residents, however, have raised concerns over water quality and infrastructure issues. Some allege that damaged drainage lines are contaminating groundwater, while others point out that taps installed under the Jal Jeevan Mission are not functioning properly. There are also reports of high fluoride levels in water supplied through private borewells in certain areas.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan said authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have already identified potential problem areas. “Preparations are underway, and water tankers will be deployed in severely affected regions,” he said, adding that action will be taken against private tankers charging excessive rates.
Officials continue to monitor reservoir levels and are working to ensure adequate water supply for both residents and agriculture, but the coming weeks remain critical as summer intensifies.
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