With water levels in Karnataka dams dipping, the Congress-ruled state is staring at one of the worst droughts ever. Bengaluru and its neighbouring towns have already started to bear the brunt, despite assurances from the state government.

Reduced water supply, low pressure and contamination of water, has now begun to haunt the residents, reports Manu Aiyappa Kanathanda for The Times of India.

Residents across the city have expressed concern over interrupted water supply in the past few days, stating that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board appears to be in denial. 

Speaking to TOI, KV Jagadish of the Hebbal Residents' Welfare Association said, “In normal times, water is supplied for three hours from 5.30am. Nowadays, we get water for two hours, with low pressure. As a result, residents towards the end of the distribution line are not getting enough water, particularly those who do not have pumps to draw water. The quality of water is also a worry."

Asserting that there is enough water for the BWSSB to cater to the water requirements of Bengaluru, board officials dismissed allegations of having resorted to unofficial water rationing. According to official figures, the board supplies 1350 million litres of water every day.

“There are certain hiccups because of equitable distribution. Water shortage and low pressure are caused as the board has been distributing water to starved areas, which rely mostly on borewells, by cutting down on the supply to areas getting more than their share,” BWSSB chairman Tushar Girinath said.

However, the report quotes another official as saying that the water crunch situation is likely to persist and even worsen by April, for the board is contemplating the government's suggestion that water allocation priorities must be rejigged to cater to the population in slums too.