Kasargod: Taps in Kasargod have gone dry as the administration has stopped water supply due to salt water incursion and shortage of water.

As many as 50,000 families have been left in lurch following the water crisis in Kasargod Town Municipal Council and five Gram Panchayat limits.

Though a temporary barricade was built across river Payaswini, at Bavikkare to pump water to the area, the water level has reached a precarious low level and salinity of water has added to the woes. With this the authorities have stopped water supply and have said that water will now be available only if there is rainfall, ushering in some potable water into the source.

Over the last few days water was being supplied once in two days but with unexpected problem of salt water incursion has left the region high and dry.

As per World Health Organisation one litre of water can contain only 250mg of salt, but the water at Bavikkare has 1000 mg of salt content in one litre water.

The people of Kasargod are now keeping their fingers crossed, hoping for a rainfall that would bring them some relief.