Mangaluru: Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district Dinesh Gundu Rao has asked the authorities concerned to make preparations to deal with possible drinking water problems for the people of the district this summer.

Addressing a meeting with officers in the district at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mangaluru on Saturday to discuss water supply during summer, the minister said, "Dakshina Kannada is currently facing no drinking water shortage. But we should empower ourselves to effectively handle any water-related problem in future, in addition to the precautionary measures that are in place to prevent water problems in the district."

Referring to the sources of water for Dakshina Kannada, Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the level of water in the minor dams across the district being satisfactory was heartening, given that summer was round the corner. Reminding the officers that drinking water is to be given priority, when it comes to water supply, he stressed that the administration could not afford to be laidback if the people struggled for drinking water supply but would have to take immediate action to solve the problem.

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The minister added, "If necessary, we will draw water from the AMR Dam across River Nethravathi. The major industrial projects of the district like Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) and Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) should also cooperate with the people of the district, if a major water shortage."

Dinesh Gundu Rao said that Dakshina Kannada had been allocated Rs 3 crore under the drought relief fund. "The state government will provide additional funds if necessary," the minister assured at the meeting.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. K Anand, Additional Deputy Commissioner Santhosh Kumar and Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Anand were among the officers who attended the meeting.

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Pune, Oct 4: Former cricketer Salil Ankola's mother was found dead in her Pune flat on Friday with her throat slit, a police official said, adding the injuries prima facie look "self inflicted".

The body of Mala Ashok Ankola (77) was found in her flat on Prabhat Road in Deccan Gymkhana area in the afternoon, the official said.

"The incident came to light after her maid came to the flat and then alerted relatives after no one answered the door," he said.

"When the door was opened, the woman was found dead with her throat slit. Prima facie, it looks like the injuries are self-inflicted. However, we are probing the case from all angles," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Sandip Singh Gill.

She was suffering from some mental ailment, Gill added.

Salil Ankola played one Test and 20 ODIs between 1989 and 1997. The fast-medium bowler later acted in films and TV serials.