For people in the north interior districts of Karnataka, this winter has proved worse than the hottest of summers. Public taps, the main source of drinking water here, get water practically once a month and people fear even that may dry up near summer. Savanur taluk in Haveri district is the worst hit because of the drought second year in a row, with the local administration here supplying water once in 24 days. The three lakes are dried up and there are queues of people clutching pots and buckets for miles in front of the tanks which are the other source of water to the taluk.