Mangaluru: Despite the Thumbay dam containing six feet of water and releasing excess water, nearly half of Mangaluru City Corporation’s (MCC) wards are grappling with a drinking water shortage.

While 160 MLD of water is pumped daily from the Thumbay vented dam, miscreants drilling over 110 illegal holes into the main pipeline result in a loss of about 40 MLD, leaving the city with only 120 MLD.

Wealthy individuals and unauthorized users exploit the drilled holes, diverting water for commercial purposes and agriculture, leaving law-abiding taxpayers with insufficient water.

The MCC administration formed teams to disconnect illegal connections, but re-drilling exacerbates the issue.

Praveenchandra Alva, the opposition leader in MCC, emphasized the need for proactive measures, warning of severe water scarcity in summer if action is not taken.

Mayor Sudhir Shetty Kannur outlined steps to address water challenges, including recruitment of personnel and installation of a bulk water meter.