An inter-Ministerial team deputed by the Central government to take stock of the prevailing drought conditions in the State reached the district on Friday for a two-day visit. The team assessed the drought situation and crop loss in various parts of the district.
The team visited paddy fields in Nagaroor, Peringamala, Amboori and Kilimanoor, where crop loss has been reported. In the Vellalloor paddy fields in Nagaroor grama panchayat, crops over an area of 50 acres were damaged twice in succession. Seventy-five farmers in 15 collectives told the team that the crop losses this year have been unprecedented.
In the Peringamala grama panchayat, 9 hectares of farmland is in a dried out state. The wells and water sources in the area have also dried up. The team visited the pumping station in the Chittar river, which is the main source of drinking water for 30,000 families in the Kilimanoor and Pazhayakunnummel panchayats. In place of 15 lakh litres of water being pumped daily from here, only 1.5 lakh litres are being pumped now.
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Moving out
The Water Resources Department officials told the team that water is bring brought from other pockets to the main pumping station in the Vamanapuram river, which is the main source of water for two municipalities and 28 panchayats. The team also visited the Thendiyamala Adivasi settlement in Vithura. The residents told them that they get water only once in two or three days. Many have shifted from the colony because of the water scarcity. At Panthaplamoodu in Amboori, there is acute water scarcity as the Karippayaar river has dried up.