Thiruvananthapuram: Rivers, wells dry up early

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The prelude to a harsh summer has become evident at Nedumangad and Chirayankeezhu taluks, say residents. Vamanapuram River, the primary drinking water source has started drying up due to lack of holistic conservation and it is expected to turn worse. “The upcoming summer will be severe than the last one for people despite surplus monsoons last year. Wells in the panchayats of Peringammala, Vithura, Panavoor, Pullampara, Vembayam, Kallara and Vamanapuram have started to dry up. The beefing up of local drinking water projects should have happened earlier,” said Aanad Jayan, Congress leader at district panchayat.

Though several check dams were built on rivulets, their impact would be too small to avert a water crisis, he added. New water projects in areas like Thol-ikkodu, Aanad, Pull-ampara areas will take at least two years for completion. “Last year, by January second week we had run out of water because of scarce monsoons in 2016. This year, we might sail smoothly until mid February. After that the drought story will repeat,” said Rohit N. a resident of Tholikkodu. “Irony is water to the city comes from Peppara dam which is located at Neduma-ngad. However, the taluk dries up every summer. The Kallar has started to dry up already,” he added.

Meanwhile, on the downstream of Vamanapuram River, around a dozen water projects that cater to the needs of Attingal and Varkala municipalities have also been in crisis.  Kerala Water Authority officials said that the water flows into the check dams were inadequate to meet the needs.  The officials, as planned during last summer were planning to filter and utilise water from abandoned granite quarries in the area.