River Periyar turns leaner as 60 per cent water flow reduce

Kochi: River Periyar, the major drinking water source of Ernakulam district, is depleting fast. Data over the last decade indicates that the water flow in the river has reduced by over 60 per cent. Construction of major and minor dams, rampant sand mining and encroachment have led to this situation.

“Quantity of water in the river dipped considerably after several dams were commissioned. The Periyar Valley irrigation project and diversion of large quantity of water through Muvattupuzha river have drastically reduced the quantity of water downstream,” said Purushan Eloor, activist of Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithi.

The water flow data, collected from Kalady, from 2001 to 2010 shows that during summer and pre summer months, water flow in Periyar is in the range of 9 to 10 cubic centimetres/second, It was in the range of 2,000 to 2,300 cubic centimetres/second  before the major dams were commissioned.

Flushing pollutants and other contaminants is not happening in the river now. The threat of brackish water reaching the river’s upstream during high tides strongly indicates weak water flow in the river. If water flow is strong, effluents from industrial units and other municipal solid waste will be flushed out to the sea," he added.

Unless strong measures are taken, Periyar will die a slowl death, warn the green activists.

“A strong political decision and consensus are needed on decommissioning of certain dams including the Mullaperiyar which can help revive the river. Such steps are crucial if authorities’ prime concern is to ensure quality drinking water,” they pointed out.