Bengaluru water crisis: BWSSB issues strict guidelines for swimming pools, construction projects

Further, BWSSB has mandated the use of treated water across all major construction projects above 20,000 sq. ft. in the city.

Earlier on Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the opposition BJP's charge that the state government was releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu even though the Bengaluru city is reeling under an acute water shortage.

"All that is a lie. Who will let the water flow, that too in this situation? We will not give even a drop of water to Tamil Nadu without retaining water for our consumption," PTI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying.

On Monday, the Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress-led government in the state of having released Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The water crisis has gripped Bengaluru and other neighbouring cities after thousands of borewells dried up in the region.

With multiple lakes in the city drying up, a photograph recently went viral on social media showcasing a dead fish on a dry lake bed.

The picture was reportedly taken at the Nallurahalli Lake in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area. The lake was in the news in 2022 after it overflowed and submerged over 400 parked cars in nearby apartments.

According to reports, the image was taken by AFP photographer Idrees Mohammed on March 10 and has been widely shared on social media.

The Karnataka BJP on Tuesday held a protest at Freedom Park to draw the state government's attention to the ongoing water crisis.

“Congress government, knowing well in advance about the looming water crisis in Bengaluru, acted against the interests of the people and released water to please its alliance partner in Tamil Nadu. Neither Chief Minister Siddaramaiah nor Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar visited any of the water-stressed areas of the city and understood the plight of the people," BJP leader Tejasvi Surya said.