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The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has issued an order restricting the use of water by commercial establishments for Holi celebrations due to the city's alarming water shortage. The order comes amidst concerns about falling groundwater levels and dried-up borewells as the city grapples with a lack of rainfall.
While traditional Holi celebrations at home with cultural performances are allowed, the BWSSB has strictly prohibited the use of Cauvery water and borewell water for rain dances and pool parties organised by hotels and resorts.
Read: Bengaluru hotels offer pool party, rain dance on Holi, amidst severe water crisis
TNM had first reported how Bengaluru hotels and resorts were offering pool parties and rain dances on Holi, amidst a severe water crisis. After the article was published, many hotels removed ‘rain dance’ from their advertisements.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, March 18, admitted that Bengaluru is facing a shortage of 500 million litres per day (MLD) of water daily and that the state government is taking measures to tackle the crisis. Out of 14,000 government borewells, 6,900 are dry, he said.
BWSSB also made the installation of aerators in taps mandatory from March 21 to prevent unnecessary water wastage. The board had also banned the usage of drinking water for car washing, gardening, construction, water fountains and road construction and maintenance in Bengaluru.