DAVANAGERE: Asia’s second largest lake, Shanthi Sagara, or Sulekere, in Channagiri taluk, is fast drying up with no rains in sight. The water level has dropped to 7-8 feet and a drinking water shortage may be looming in the days ahead.
The lake provides water for drinking and irrigation purposes to several parts of Chitradurga and Davanagere districts. The sighting of the Kudure Toobu in the lake has only heightened fears of a drought among the farmers.
Adding to the woes, hundreds of high-power pumps have been illegally installed by the edge of the lake to draw water for areca farms and water is pumped for 6-7 hours straight, leading to a drastic fall in the water level.
The remaining water may last only 15-20 days, locals fear, and there may not be enough water for either drinking or irrigation purposes. The feed from Bhadra river has also stopped, heightening fears among locals.