Thiruvananthapuram gears up for dehydrated months

Thiruvananthapuram: An air of anxiety has already gripped officialdom as Thiruvananthapuram gradually moves into a drought situation because the monsoon was 34 per cent deficient. Of the 65 sample wells that are being monitored in the district, around 58 wells are already showing a dip in water levels. As the ongoing over-exploitation coincides with the scarce monsoon, many areas will experience scarcity in the coming months. Of the areas that are badly affected are panchayats under Athiyannoor block. The panchayats of Kottukal and Kanjiramkulam were less conducive for natural recharge.

In North Thiruvananthapuram, several areas around Varkala and Chirayinkeezhu are also badly affected. Water levels are dropping in wells in areas such as Kizhuvilam, Keezhattingal and Edava. “Groundwater levels have been dipping since the past ten years. Conservation efforts are too miniscule as compared to the level of exploitation,” said an official at the groundwater department. Another area of concern is Mangalapuram near Kazhakoottam where not only the water table has become depleted but the wells have acidic waters due to clay mining. The area will be brought under the Jalasuraksha programme this month end to begin water conservation efforts.

On Monday, the district administration approved the Jalakranti project in Karode panchayat where currently there is no water supply project. “There are around 50-58 ruined ponds. The government plans to make a grid of ponds that can be tapped for drinking water and agricultural purposes. The district committee has approved it and has sent it to the secretariat to get approval from the centre,” an official said. While most of the city area has drinking water supply from Peppara, water scarcity threatens its coastal areas and peripheries.

As the water table dips around areas like Poonthura and Beempally, salt water contamination has set in. With the Vellayani lake water supply scheme failing to take off, areas beyond Thiruvallam such as Punchakkari, Kalliyoor, Veyloor, Melthonnakkal and Venganoor near Vizhinjam are heading to a bad outcome. Elsewhere, the hilly terrain of Nedumangaud, areas like Peringamala, Panavoor, Nandiyod, Tholikkode, Vamanapuram and Vithura are looking at water scarcity soon.