The Hindu 20.02.2013
Post rainfall, weather salubrious, but water scarcity continues
Scattered rainfall over the past few days has made the weather in different parts of the Nilgiris salubrious. However it has not helped reduce concern over scarcity of water for drinking and farming. The threat of bushfires also continues.
Municipal Engineer B. Ramoorthy said that catchment areas in Udhagamandalam and Coonoor have not benefited from the showers.
Pointing out that alternative arrangements are being made for the areas where supply through taps has become inadequate, he said that plastic water tanks are in the process of being installed. Soon private lorries would be hired for supplying municipal water.
The Deputy Director, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), A. Ameer Haja said that though places like Bokkapuram and Masinagudy adjoining the reserve experienced fairly good showers on Monday night, the reserve itself continues to be dry.
Consequently vigil has been stepped up and fire-watchers asked to be in a constant state of alert.
