Karamana river dries up at Kundamankadavu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though round-the-clock pumping was started from Aruvikkara reservoir, disruptions were experienced in several areas in the city due to the low water levels on the downstream of the Karamana River at Kudamankadavu on Saturday. “Kudamankadavu and Aruvikkara pumping stations jointly feed PTP Nagar overhead tanks. However, with low water levels in Kundamankadavu, distribution runs into trouble,” said an official. This affected supply to areas such as Karamana, Thirumala, Poojapura. A cascading effect was felt in areas around Kaudiar, Vellayambalam, Murinjapalam, Kaudiar and Pattom.

“There are 16 and 13 MLD plants at PTP Nagar. To maintain sufficient levels here, four pumps at Kundamankadavu areas will have to supply water. Unfortunately, there is hardly any water there now. Sometimes we operate two pumps,” said an official. With lower inputs, the levels in PTP tank went down on Friday night causing airlocks that affected supply to certain areas throughout the day. Supply will be reinstated but such disruptions might happen until it rains.

“Peroorkada overhead tank and PTP Nagar tank are connected and they compensate each other when one of them experiences a shortage. Therefore there won’t be total disruptions but temporary level drops can cause issues,” said another official. Round the clock pumping from Aruvikkara reservoir will end on Sunday and the water rationing in the city will be resumed once pumping is reduced to 75 per cent.