Dharwad gears up for monsoon, tightens disaster readiness

Dharwad: With the monsoon approaching, the Dharwad district administration has intensified disaster preparedness while ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply for people and livestock during the summer.

Meetings of the District Disaster Management Authority, chaired by deputy commissioner Snehal R, are being held regularly, with officials directed to implement preventive and precautionary measures across the district.

In rural areas, drinking water is being supplied to 23 villages through 27 private borewells, with no tankers currently in use. To meet water needs in Navalgund, Annigeri, Hubballi and Kundgol taluks, authorities have filled 60 drinking water ponds using water from the Navilutheertha reservoir for both people and cattle.

Officials said all five urban local bodies in the district, covering 100 wards, have sufficient water reserves. While 80 wards are receiving daily supply, the remaining get water once every two to three days. No tanker supply is being used in these areas.

Within Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) limits, 13 of 82 wards receive 24x7 water supply, while others get supply once every two to seven days. A round-the-clock helpline — 7996666247 — has been set up in two shifts to address complaints. Authorities said 53 water tankers are on standby, with more to be arranged if required.

The district administration said Dharwad has adequate fodder reserves for livestock. With 2.3 lakh animals and over 4.8 lakh tonnes of fodder available, the district has enough stock for nearly 47 weeks.

Meanwhile, awareness drives on lightning and thunderstorm safety have been stepped up following the deaths of one person, 12 large animals and 70 small animals in lightning incidents during the pre-monsoon period. Compensation has been provided in all cases.

People have been advised to avoid standing near doors and windows during thunderstorms, refrain from bathing or touching tap water during lightning, and take shelter in buildings or pump houses if caught in open fields. Farmers and the public have also been warned against sheltering under trees, swimming in lakes, or standing near electric poles, transformers, mobile towers and wire fences during lightning activity. Livestock owners have been advised to keep animals safely inside sheds during storms.