COVID-19: Karnataka reports 2,154 fresh infections,2,198 recoveries
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Saturday reported 2,154 fresh COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, taking the infection count and toll to 8,60,082 and 11,508 respectively, the health department said.
The total infections comprise 8,20,590 discharges cumulatively including 2,198 today and 27,965 total active cases including 773 in the ICU, a department bulletin said.
Bengaluru Urban district accounted for 1,195 fresh cases and nine deaths.
Cumulatively, the city has reported 3,56,440 infections, 3,997 deaths, 3,34,258 discharges, including 771 today, and 18,184 active cases.
According to the health bulletin, 137 cases were reported in Mysuru, 103 in Hassan, 61 in Tuamkuru, 60 in Bengaluru Rural, and 51 in Belagavi.
Fresh COVID-19 cases were also reported in Bagalkote, Ballari, Chikkaballapura, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Bidar, Chamarajanagara, Davangere, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura, and Yadgir.
According to the health department, two deaths each due to COVID were reported in Tumakuru and Ballari and one each in Dakshina Kannada, Dharwad, Hassan, and Mandya.
There were as many as 1.16 lakh tests done on Saturday including 89,226 using the RT-PCR and other methods, taking the total tests done so far to 93.92 lakh, the department added.
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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.
