By
Jisha Surya - THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
20th October 2012 12:52 PM
The onset of the North-East monsoon has brought temporary respite to
the officials of Kerala Water Authority (KWA), who were searching for
ways to manage the looming drought situation in the district. The water
level in Peppara dam, the main source of potable water to the city, has
improved.
However, the KWA has nothing much to cheer about. It has become certain that the district is heading for a major water crisis during the summer season.
The reservoir can ensure drinking water supply for 60-65 days, said KWA officials. According to KWA Chief Engineer K P Krishna Kumar, the city will have to face the effects of a weak south-west monsoon during the summer season.
“Even if the Peppara dam overflows during this north-east monsoon season, the reservoir will not be able to support the district during summer,” he said.
The average consumption of water in the city is 200 million litres per day. Krishna Kumar said that KWA was mulling alternative options, including a plan to bring water from Neyyar dam.
However, the plan which was envisaged almost two months ago is yet to take off. The Forest Department has raised stiff opposition to the project, which requires laying of pipes through forest land at Neyyar.
Thiruvananthapuram was the one of worst-hit districts during the south-west monsoon season. However, the north-east monsoon rainfall was excess last year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is expecting normal rainfall during this season too. The district has been getting scattered rainfall over the past 3-4 days.
Two months ago, the KWA had submitted a proposal to impose restrictions on water supply. However, the government turned down the proposal.
However, the KWA has nothing much to cheer about. It has become certain that the district is heading for a major water crisis during the summer season.
The reservoir can ensure drinking water supply for 60-65 days, said KWA officials. According to KWA Chief Engineer K P Krishna Kumar, the city will have to face the effects of a weak south-west monsoon during the summer season.
“Even if the Peppara dam overflows during this north-east monsoon season, the reservoir will not be able to support the district during summer,” he said.
The average consumption of water in the city is 200 million litres per day. Krishna Kumar said that KWA was mulling alternative options, including a plan to bring water from Neyyar dam.
However, the plan which was envisaged almost two months ago is yet to take off. The Forest Department has raised stiff opposition to the project, which requires laying of pipes through forest land at Neyyar.
Thiruvananthapuram was the one of worst-hit districts during the south-west monsoon season. However, the north-east monsoon rainfall was excess last year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is expecting normal rainfall during this season too. The district has been getting scattered rainfall over the past 3-4 days.
Two months ago, the KWA had submitted a proposal to impose restrictions on water supply. However, the government turned down the proposal.
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