Mangaluru: The water level in Thumbe dam, which is the only source of drinking water for Manglauru city, has dipped as a result of lack of inflow in Nethravati river.The dam , which has maximum storage level of 6 metres, has 5.2 metres of water in it as on Monday.According to officials of Mangaluru City Corporation, the water in Thumbe is sufficient for over 50 days. Officials expect arrival of monsoon as per schedule and this will ensure that the city will not suffer water crisis. It may be recalled that the city faced drinking water crisis in previous years before the height of the dam was increased.The water level at the new dam, which was commissioned in December 2016, was maintained at five metres initially. Later, the storage level was increased to six meters in January 2018.MCC executive engineer K S Lingegowda told TOI that there is no need of apprehension about drinking water supply to the city. “Though there is no inflow to the dam, the water storage at Thumbe is sufficient till the arrival of rainy season. We can manage with the water stored in the AMR dam on the upstream of Nethravati river,” the officer said.Currently, the city corporation has been pumping 160 MLD of water per day to Mangaluru city, Ullal, Bantwal, and surrounding areas from Thumbe dam. Lingegowda said the city corporation will not have to arrange tankers to supply drinking water this year.In August 2018, pumping of water from the dam was stopped following an increase in the water level in Nethravati river. The water level at the new dam had risen to 9.1 metres due to heavy rain. Following this, Mescom authorities had disconnected its 33kv exclusive feeder line, which was passing close proximity to the Nethravati backwaters. Later, pumping of water from the dam resumed after water level in Nethravati decreased to 7.9 metres the next day. Pre-monsoon showers in catchment areas will increase the water level in the dam.BOXNew DamProject approved – December 16, 2008Estimated Cost – Rs 75 croreWork commenced – January 30, 2009Commissioned – December 14, 2016Maximum storage level - 7 metresMaximum storage – 14.73 million cubic metresCurrent storage level – 6 metresWater level on Monday – 5.2 metresWater requirement – 160 MLD/ day

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