There has been an unprecedented dip in water levels in the Neyyar and Peppara dams.
Irrigation officials told a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority here on Tuesday that there has been a storage dip of 60% when the last 10 monsoon seasons are factored in.
They said the water stored in these dams would be enough only for two months. The level of groundwater is also dipping, and there has not been enough rain to recharge the borewells. There are problems with the quantity and quality of groundwater in hilly and coastal areas, the officials told the meeting.
Stringent measures, including the rationing of water, may be warranted if there is not enough rain in September, District Collector S. Venkatesapathy told the meeting.
People should voluntarily curb the use of water and work to protect sources of water and to ensure recharging of the same.
The meeting said departments that cut open roads to instal facilities were duty-bound to restore it at their own expense. This cost should also be factored in into the project cost. Covering the cut open area with mud would only lead to road accidents.
The task of pruning danger-prone trees in public spaces and inside private property should continue apace, the meeting resolved.
Health officials told the meeting that there has been a noticeable reduction in the number of dengue cases in the district.
