Kozhikode: Acute water shortage in high ranges dry
Collector asks officials to ensure drinking water supply.
KOZHIKODE: With the high ranges facing acute water shortage, the district administration has decided to ensure foolproof drinking water distribution system in the district. District collector U.V. Jose on Saturday directed the local administrative bodies and revenue officials to intervene in drinking water supply in critical regions. He also sanctioned Rs 5.5 lakh for village panchayats, Rs 11 lakh for municipalities and Rs 16.5 lakh for corporation for drinking water distribution till March 31. From April 1 to May 31, the village panchayats, municipalities and corporation can spend Rs 11 lakh, Rs 16.5 lakh and Rs 22 lakh respectively either from plan fund or special fund, he said.
The water distribution should be conducted in GPS-connected water tankers. The GPS log book and the log book of the vehicles should be crosschecked to ensure transparency of the supply. The local bodies of high rages in the district are hit by drought with the water level of streams, wells and ponds depleting. The tributaries of river Chaliyar, Iruvanjippuzha and Chalippuzha are already reduced to thin streams. Many drought-prone zones in Kodanchery, Thiruvambadi, Koodaranji, Thamarassery, Karassery and Puthuppadi village panchayats are facing shortage of water.