The early onset of summer in January has left many parts of Pathanamthitta parched and in a drinking water crisis.
Water has become a highly priced commodity in the hilly tracts of Chittar, Seethathode, Perinad, Aruvappulam, Kalinjoor, Malayalappuzha, Kallooppara, Kunnamthanam, Mannady, Kodumon, etc.
Villagers have to pay Rs.600 to Rs.1,300 a tank of water (1,250 litres) in many scarcity-hit areas. In many cases, private groups have been supplying raw water collected from streams and rivers for domestic use.
There were also reports of water-borne diseases spreading in the water scarcity-hit areas.
No effective steps
It is also alleged that the Health Department has not yet taken any effective measure to ensure safety of the water supplied by these private groups.
The scorching summer heat has dried up many small streams and ponds.
The water level in the Pampa, Manimala, and Achencoil rivers has been alarmingly lowered, drying up many wells situated even on the river banks.
The barometer has recorded the maximum temperature in the day time in Pathanamthitta at 37 to 38 degrees Celsius during the past one week.
The Pambini, Kodumudy, Meenkuzhy and Karikkayam areas in Chittar have been witnessing acute water scarcity since February first week.
Many farmlands in the Pampa river basin have become water-scarce and the river system itself has been degenerated into a mere canal-like stream along many stretches.
Experts attribute this alarming situation to man’s negligent attitude towards conservation of the natural eco system, wetlands and various other water sources in his mad rush for unscientific development culture.
Indiscriminate razing of hills, granite quarrying, unabated paddy land conversion, and illegal river sand mining spree have accelerated the climate change, according to N.K. Sukumaran Nair, Pampa Parirakshana Samiti general secretary, and V.N. Gopinatha Pillai, Kerala River Protection Council vice president.
A local resident of Kuravankuzhy near Pullad told The Hindu that the villagers now took their clothes in an autorikshaw to river Pampa, six kilometers away, at Maramon for washing in the weekends.
At its worst
Water scarcity is still at its worst in Athikkayam, Kudamurutty, Paruva near Vechoochira, Thekkuthode, and Mallappally.
Callous dumping of waste collected from slaughter houses, chicken corners, markets and even from hospitals and septic tanks in the close vicinity of various fresh water sources too has become a major problem in many parts of the district.
