Ensure Safe Drinking Water Supply Amid Rain Deficit: Minister Satish Jarkihol
Belagavi, July 4: With the district continuing to face a rainfall deficit, all necessary precautionary measures must be taken to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply. If required, reserve funds should be utilized to provide water through private borewells and tankers, directed District Disaster Management Minister Satish Jarkiholi while reviewing the district’s preparedness.
Chairing the District Disaster Management Review Meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Saturday, the minister stressed that public safety should remain the top priority during the monsoon season. He instructed officials not to conduct classes in school buildings with leaking roofs or structurally unsafe classrooms until repairs are completed.
He also directed the concerned departments to maintain adequate stocks of drinking water and fodder for livestock. In the event of loss of human or animal lives due to rain-related incidents, compensation should be disbursed without delay, he said.
Highlighting the increased risk of communicable diseases during the monsoon, the minister instructed the Health Department to strengthen preventive measures and create public awareness. He further directed officials to ensure there is no shortage of seeds and fertilizers for farmers during the ongoing kharif season.
As rainfall is gradually increasing in river catchment areas, all departments have been asked to remain on high alert. Officials must immediately respond to any rain-related damage and promptly report the situation to higher authorities, he added.
MLA Raju (Asif) Sait, who also addressed the meeting, said that departments should be informed in advance whenever power supply is disrupted at locations connected to urban water supply systems. He urged the water supply company and the City Corporation to work in close coordination to ensure regular drinking water supply to residents.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan informed the meeting that the district has recorded a 26 percent rainfall deficit compared to the seasonal average. Drinking water scarcity has affected 32 villages across seven taluks, with water currently being supplied through tankers in 15 villages and private borewells in 23 villages.
He said Belagavi city receives water from the Hidkal and Rakkaskoppa reservoirs. Under the water distribution system managed by L&T, 33 supply zones have been grouped into six sectors, where water is supplied once every three or six days depending on the locality. He added that arrangements have been made to deploy 35 additional water tankers within the City Corporation limits if required. GPS tracking has also been mandated for all water tankers to ensure effective monitoring.
On the progress of the SIR exercise, the Deputy Commissioner stated that 11,99,757 enumeration forms have been distributed out of 41,07,000 forms, achieving 29.21 percent progress since June 30.
Joint Director of Agriculture H.D. Kolekar informed the meeting that sowing has been completed in 6,01,688 hectares, achieving 80 percent of the seasonal target. Seeds are being distributed through 35 Raitha Samparka Kendras and 139 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PKPS), and there is no shortage of either seeds or fertilizers. The district currently has a stock of 1,21,889 metric tonnes of fertilizers, sufficient for the ongoing agricultural season.
He further stated that crop insurance enrolment has commenced. The last date for payment of premium for green gram and black gram is July 15, while farmers cultivating other crops can pay the premium until July 30.
Deputy Director of Horticulture Mahantesh Muragod said horticultural crops have been sown in 13,709 hectares against a target of 18,486 hectares, achieving 74 percent of the target.
Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department informed the meeting that the district currently has 1.9 million tonnes of fodder, sufficient to meet the needs of livestock for the next 34 weeks.
DDPI Leelavati Hiremath said unsafe school buildings have been identified, damaged classrooms have been closed, and students shifted to alternative classrooms. Repair works are being undertaken wherever necessary.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Eshwar Gadadi informed that all necessary preparations have been made to prevent the spread of communicable diseases during the monsoon. Ambulances are also being deployed to 15 rain-affected villages in Khanapur taluk to ensure emergency medical services.
Among those present at the meeting were MLC Channaraj Hattiholi, BUDA Chairman Laxmanrao Chingale, Police Commissioner Bhorse Gulabrao Bhushan, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rahul Shinde, and senior officials from various government departments.
