Periyar river salinity level rises

KOCHI: Even though the northeast monsoon is yet to recede, the salinity level in the Periyar has started to escalate early this year, triggering possible water scarcity in the city and outskirts.

Due to the high salt content, pumping from the Kerala Water Authority’s Purappallikkavu pump house, for irrigation purposes, has already been affected.

On Saturday, the salinity level in the river near the Purappallikkavu was 800 ppm (particles per million) while it got diluted to 400 ppm on Monday. Usually, the issue of high salinity is reported by December. But, this year soon after the rain subsided, the presence of salt content started to increase.

Meanwhile, the salt content in the river near the KWA pump house at Aluva, the major drinking water source for the city and suburbs, has remained stable during the last couple of days. On Monday, the salinity level near the pump house was only 10 ppm.

“If the salinity level further increases near Purappallikkavu, it will enter upstream during the high tide. Unless the temporary sand bund is constructed at the earliest, the salinity level will reach near the intake well of the pump house which might hit drinking water supply to the city areas,” said Anil, assistant engineer, KWA pump house, Aluva.

Every year, the Irrigation Department authorities complete construction of bunds at Pathalam and Purappillikkavu by November end or early December to prevent intrusion of salty water to the upstream.

If the bund is not completed, additional water has to be released from Bhoothathan Kettu dam to increase water level and to dilute the salt content in river.

Vast tracts of agricultural area have been hit after pumping from the Purappillikkavu pump house was stopped.