Several parts of Ramanathapuram district are reeling under acute shortage of drinking water, as most of the water sources have dried up completely.
Though the district has been brought under the combined drinking water scheme, under which Cauvery water is being supplied, several rural habitations are yet to reap full benefits of the scheme due to its incompletion.
Several areas have still been depending upon the ‘ooranies' or local sources.
Most of the ‘ooranies' and ‘kanmois' in the district have gone dry since the onset of summer.
Though the district had received more rainfall than the average rainfall during the last year, several kanmois including the Public Works Department tanks had not reached the maximum level due to insufficient rainfall.
Worst hit
Areas such as Kamudhi, Kadaladi, Mudukulathur, which are traditionally the rain shadow areas in the district are the worst hit.
The situation in places such as Thondi, Thiruvadanai, R.S. Mangalam, Nainarkoil, and Thirupalakudi is no better.
The respective local bodies find it very difficult to meet the drinking water requirements.
There are reports that several areas in Kamudhi, Kadaladi are left with no water supply for more than a week inspite of the Cauvery water supply.
Power cut
The frequent and unscheduled power cut has also reportedly compounded to the problem.
“We have not received water for the last 8 days. Though we receive Cauvery water, there is no established schedule of water supply. Most of the time, we are forced to go to far away areas to fetch water,” says Usha of Sathiamoorthy Colony near Paramakudi.
S. Chithiravelu of Vilangathur said the system and schedule of Cauvery supply water has to be streamlined.
Sincere steps should be taken to study the problems in order to find a suitable solution.
Though the supply in Ramanathapuram municipality areas is relatively better than the other areas, several people continue to get water from private players.
They sell a pot of water for Rs.2.50, which was sold for 50 paise less until February.
While acknowledging the prevalence of drinking water scarcity in a few areas in the district, a senior official of the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board told ‘The Hindu' that the water supply is inadequate mainly due to disrupted power supply.
The supply might have been disrupted for a few days when maintenance works were undertaken in the pumping station.
Works have been expedited up to cover all areas under the Cauvery water scheme.
