Bengaluru, July 30 — Bengaluru could face a drinking-water shortage within five to six months if Karnataka does not receive adequate rainfall, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board Chairperson Dr N. Manjula said on Thursday.

Addressing reporters, Manjula stated that the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir currently holds a gross storage of 20 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), of which only 14 to 15 TMC is available for drinking-water use.

“On an average, Bengaluru requires around 2.2 tmcft of water every month. If the available water is reserved exclusively for the city, it would be sufficient for about five to six months. However, water from KRS is also supplied to other cities and towns, and that needs to be taken into account,” she said.

She cautioned that a prolonged shortfall in monsoon rainfall could create a supply crisis in the capital. “If good rains do not occur, Bengaluru will face a shortage of water. We are closely monitoring the situation,” Manjula added.

The board has already activated its “Sanchari Cauvery” tanker-supply programme for areas facing scarcity. Between 150 and 200 tanker trips are currently being operated each day, with capacity to increase to nearly 1,000 trips daily if demand rises. “We have been monitoring the situation for the past two months. As of now, demand for tanker water is not very high,” she noted.

Manjula appealed to residents to use water carefully and avoid wastage as a precautionary measure. She also pointed to weather forecasts indicating moderate rainfall over the Western Ghats and the Cauvery catchment, which could improve inflows into KRS. “There are predictions of moderate rainfall in the Cauvery basin, and inflows are continuing. We will have to wait and see how the situation develops over the coming weeks,” she said.

The remarks come against the backdrop of below-normal rainfall in several parts of Karnataka and growing concern over reservoir levels. Separately, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee has directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days beginning 29 July, amounting to roughly 4 TMC. Karnataka has challenged the directive before the Cauvery Water Management Authority, citing its own storage deficits. The issue has also drawn political comment, with the opposition questioning the state government’s representation of Karnataka’s interests.

BWSSB officials continue to track inflows and demand closely while maintaining contingency tanker capacity and urging public conservation.

Bengaluru, July 30 — Bengaluru could face a drinking-water shortage within five to six months if Karnataka does not receive adequate rainfall, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board Chairperson Dr N. Manjula said on Thursday.

Addressing reporters, Manjula stated that the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir currently holds a gross storage of 20 thousand million cubic feet (TMC), of which only 14 to 15 TMC is available for drinking-water use.

“On an average, Bengaluru requires around 2.2 tmcft of water every month. If the available water is reserved exclusively for the city, it would be sufficient for about five to six months. However, water from KRS is also supplied to other cities and towns, and that needs to be taken into account,” she said.

She cautioned that a prolonged shortfall in monsoon rainfall could create a supply crisis in the capital. “If good rains do not occur, Bengaluru will face a shortage of water. We are closely monitoring the situation,” Manjula added.

The board has already activated its “Sanchari Cauvery” tanker-supply programme for areas facing scarcity. Between 150 and 200 tanker trips are currently being operated each day, with capacity to increase to nearly 1,000 trips daily if demand rises. “We have been monitoring the situation for the past two months. As of now, demand for tanker water is not very high,” she noted.

Manjula appealed to residents to use water carefully and avoid wastage as a precautionary measure. She also pointed to weather forecasts indicating moderate rainfall over the Western Ghats and the Cauvery catchment, which could improve inflows into KRS. “There are predictions of moderate rainfall in the Cauvery basin, and inflows are continuing. We will have to wait and see how the situation develops over the coming weeks,” she said.

The remarks come against the backdrop of below-normal rainfall in several parts of Karnataka and growing concern over reservoir levels. Separately, the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee has directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days beginning 29 July, amounting to roughly 4 TMC. Karnataka has challenged the directive before the Cauvery Water Management Authority, citing its own storage deficits. The issue has also drawn political comment, with the opposition questioning the state government’s representation of Karnataka’s interests.

BWSSB officials continue to track inflows and demand closely while maintaining contingency tanker capacity and urging public conservation.