COVID-19: 1,791 new cases in Karnataka, 21 deaths
Bengaluru: Karnataka reported 1,791 new COVID-19 cases and 21 more deaths, taking the total number of infections to 8,65,931 and the toll to 11,578.
The day also saw 1,947 patients getting discharged after recovery.
Out of the 1,791 fresh cases reported on Wednesday, 933 were from Bengaluru Urban alone.
As of November 18 evening, cumulatively 8,65,931 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 11,578 deaths and 8,29,188 discharges, the health department said in its bulletin.
It said that out of 25,146 active cases, 24,510 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 636 are in Intensive Care Units.
Ten out of the total of 21 deaths reported today were from Bengaluru Urban, followed by Dakshina Kannada, Dharwad, and Hassan (two each), and Ballari, Kodagu, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Uttara Kannada (one each).
Most of the deceased either had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) or Influenza-like illness (ILI).
Bengaluru Urban topped the districts where new cases were reported, accounting for 933, followed by Vijayapura 121, Mysuru 97, Tumakuru 86, and Hassan 71.
The rest of the cases were scattered in other districts.
Bengaluru Urban district also topped the list of positive cases, with a total of 3,59,539 infections, followed by Mysuru 49,697 and Ballari 37,956.
Among discharges too Bengaluru Urban was on top with a total of 3,37,807 discharges, followed by Mysuru 47,985 and Ballari 37,092.
A total of over 97,41,051 samples have been tested so far, out of which 97,042 were done on Wednesday alone and 28,703 among them were Rapid Antigen Tests.
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Karnataka records 274 springs in first statewide census, majority located in Western Ghats
Hubballi: In its first-ever comprehensive census conducted during 2023-24, Karnataka has identified 274 natural springs across the State with 144 classified as perennial, 114 as seasonal and 16 reported to have dried up.
The enumeration was carried out by the Karnataka Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department in association with the Groundwater Directorate as part of a Union government initiative, according to a Deccan Herald report. Officials were quoted as saying that the nine-month exercise involved field visits to nearly all identified springs. These springs were digitally mapped using a dedicated mobile application.
Belagavi district recorded the highest number of springs at 59, followed by Uttara Kannada with 31, while Chamarajanagar and Kodagu reported 23 each. Dharwad, Ramanagar, Bengaluru Rural, Davangere and Kolar districts have one spring each.
Bendru Teertha in Dakshina Kannada is the only hot spring documented in the State, which is attributed to a distinct hydrological formation. Springs in Talacauvery in Kodagu, Javali in Chikkamagaluru and Ambutheertha in Shivamogga, are the source points of major rivers such as the Cauvery, Hemavathi and Sharavathi.
According to the directorate, springs are natural discharge points where groundwater flows to the surface through openings in the earth’s crust, which occur when the water table intersects with the ground surface or when groundwater is forced out through fractures, faults or permeable rock layers.
The Western Ghats and Malnad regions, covering districts like Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Belagavi and Shivamogga, account for a significant share of the springs due to high rainfall and favourable geological conditions.
K B Rajendra, Director of the Groundwater Directorate, was quoted by Deccan Herald as saying that nearly 80 per cent of the springs are located in rural areas. He noted that apart from those associated with religious or historical sites, most springs remain open and lack protective measures.
Noting their vital contributions to drinking water supplies and agricultural irrigation, especially in areas with hills and mountains, Rajendra said that these springs help maintain the flow of rivers and streams when the weather is dry, thereby supporting ecological balance and promoting biodiversity.
He added that the census findings would serve as a database for conservation, rejuvenation efforts, groundwater management and long-term water resource planning in the State.
