High salinity in Periyar River

KOCHI: Drinking water supply to the city and suburbs may be hit due to high salinity intrusion to River Periyar from the sea and Vembanad Lake. Saline water started entering the upstream during high tide. Unlike previous years, the phenomenon started much early due to poor monsoon and low water level. If the temporary sand bund at Purappillikavu, the northern boundary of the river, is not constructed soon, water supply will be affected.  

The irrigation department builds the sand bund every year, and it usually starts by November end and completed by December which will prevent entry of saline water to the upstream of the river. If the department waits till November, it will be too late this year as the water level in Periyar is receding. High level of saline content will also hit vast areas of agriculture land in the area as pumping for irrigation from Muppathadam pump house also has to be stopped, if the issue persists.