Tough steps in Kerala to tide over drought

Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has estimated a requirement of 10,900 kiosks across the State.

With North-East monsoon signing off with a whimper, the State government is mulling tougher drought mitigation measures, including a water rationing system for households and industries.

The water level is dipping in most reservoirs and irrigation has been suspended in three districts. With large parts of the State facing parched conditions, the government has turned its attention to addressing drinking water shortage. Efforts are on to establish water kiosks in all wards.

Water kiosks in all wards

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has estimated a requirement of 10,900 kiosks across the State.

The government is gearing up to enforce the drought mitigation measures recommended by the KSDMA. Officials said the proposal for a 75 per cent cut in the use of groundwater by industries had not yet been taken seriously. “Most industrial units in the State use groundwater for captive supply. So far, there has not been any serious effort to regulate the use of water. The situation calls for drastic enforcement,” an official said.

The government is also considering a crackdown on wastage of water, with punitive action as a deterrent. As per the system statistics released by the State Load Despatch Centre, the total water storage in hydro electric reservoirs has come down to 47 per cent on Friday, enough to generate just 1,943 million units of electricity.

Last year, the hydroelectric dams in the State had enough water to generate 2,744 mu, while the situation was better in 2014 (3,206 mu) and 2013 (3,646 mu).

Hope in summer rain

According to A. Shainamol, Managing Director, Kerala Water Authority, the storage position in reservoirs used for drinking water supply was enough to tide over the situation till March. “Efforts are on the fast track for completion of ongoing water supply schemes and carrying out repairs wherever necessary. The summer rain in April and May are expected to provide some relief,” she said.

That is something the Groundwater Department is also looking forward to. The groundwater situation in the State is fairly comfortable as of now, except in Chittoor, Malampuzha, and Kasaragod. “The intermittent off season showers will hopefully recharge ground water sources in most water stressed areas,” said Jose James, Director in charge.

The department has taken up a project to repair bore-wells supplying drinking water to parched areas and launched a campaign to promote water conservation.

Meanwhile, the North-East monsoon period has drawn to a close, leaving Kerala with a 61 per cent rainfall deficit. “The failure of the two monsoons this year is responsible for the drought situation,” said V.K. Mini, meteorologist at the Met Centre, here. “The next two months will be dry for the State, posing a challenge in drought management. Thereafter, the summer rain is likely to bring some relief.”

The pre-monsoon period from March 1 to May 31 this year had registered a rainfall deficit of 18 per cent while the South-West monsoon recorded a deficit of 34 per cent.