Prakash Samaga
Coastal Talk News | Udupi
Udupi district, blessed with numerous rivers and water bodies, is ironically staring at an uncertain summer. The failure of a satisfactory monsoon this year has triggered concerns among people about the availability of water in the coming months. What should have been a matter of serious public discussion has, unfortunately, taken a backseat amid political mudslinging and competing political narratives.
Udupi district recorded a cumulative rainfall of 2,736 mm between June 1 and September 30 this year, against the normal rainfall of 4,022 mm, indicating an overall deficit of around 32%. June month this year received 558 mm against the normal 1,106 mm, a deficit of 50%. In July, rainfall stood at 1,057 mm against the normal 1,448 mm, a shortfall of 27%. August recorded 953 mm against the normal 1,064 mm, a deficit of 10%. September witnessed the sharpest shortfall, with just 167 mm of rainfall against the normal 405 mm, marking a deficit of 59%.
Despite its extensive network of rivers and lakes, Udupi continues to face challenges in ensuring water availability during the summer months, mainly the rural areas of the district. The district has around 15 rivers, including Swarna, Seetha, Varahi, Chakra and Sowparnika, which flow westwards before joining the Arabian Sea. Varahi stretches approximately 101 km, while the Seetha and Chakra rivers extend over 83 km and 86 km respectively. Besides these rivers, Udupi has nearly 495 lakes spread across 1,181 hectares as per the official records. On paper, this appears to be a substantial natural water resource. But, the reality is that several rivers and rivulets have dries up in this summer, exposing the district's vulnerability to seasonal water scarcity.
In a normal case, Udupi receives an average annual rainfall ranging from 3,941 mm in Udupi taluk to 4,766 mm in Karkala taluk. More than 85 per cent of this rainfall is concentrated during the southwest monsoon between June and September, with July generally recording the highest rainfall. This dependence on a few monsoon months makes the district particularly vulnerable when rainfall is inadequate or irregular. This year has come as a challenge.
The question, therefore, is not merely how much rain the district receives, but how effectively it captures, stores and manages that water. Are our local bodies, gram panchayats and district administration adequately prepared for a deficient monsoon? Are traditional water bodies being protected, lakes desilted and rainwater harvesting encouraged? These are questions that demand answers before the summer arrives, not after taps run dry.
Unfortunately, public representatives who should be debating such pressing concerns appear more occupied with political mudslinging. Local political leaders seem keen to raise issues that serve their political calculations, while governance-related questions struggle to find space in discourse. People are ultimately left to deal with the consequences.
The larger concern is that water scarcity is only one among several challenges facing the district. The migration of young people continues, promises of employment generation remain largely unconvincing, and visible accountability in addressing local issues is often missing. Udupi cannot afford to approach every crisis through political rhetoric. Water security requires scientific planning, coordination between departments, protection of natural resources and, political will as well. A district that receives thousands of millimetres of rainfall annually should not have to fear every summer. The real test of leadership is not how effectively political opponents are criticised, but how effectively people's everyday problems are addressed. This summer could well expose the cost of ignoring that responsibility.
Udupi CMC Commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi told Coastal Talk News that Udupi City is currently receiving water from the Baje dam across the Swarna River. Water is usually pumped from Halady once the canal supply begins. However, in view of the forecast of heavy rainfall, canal water supply has been temporarily stopped. He said the present water requirement is being managed through Baje dam. However the water scarcity in rural parts of the district is worse as the multi village drinking water scheme, Jal Jeevan Mission works have not been executed properly.
