The Kerala state government will divert water from Neyyar Dam to Aruvikkara Dam to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply in the capital city, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine announced on Wednesday.
Current Water Reserve Status
Addressing the media after a state-level review meeting with officials from all districts, the minister stated that Aruvikkara currently has water reserves sufficient only for 26 days. As a precautionary measure, instructions have been issued to initiate steps to channel water from Neyyar to augment supply. The minister noted that a similar arrangement was implemented in 2016 during a water shortage.
Details of the Diversion Plan
This time, the plan involves diverting water from Neyyar Dam into the river system that feeds Peppara Dam, which in turn supplies Aruvikkara. An estimate of Rs 73 lakh has been prepared for the work. While there is no immediate severe drinking water crisis in the district, the government is taking advance measures in view of the summer and declining reservoir levels.
Long-term Solutions and Challenges
Increasing the storage capacity at Peppara Dam is considered one of the easiest long-term solutions, though objections from the forest department over environmental concerns need to be addressed, the minister noted. The meeting also reviewed water scarcity issues in other parts of the district.
Other Affected Areas
The Vellayani region near Vizhinjam has been facing acute shortages. Repair works on a canal supplying water to the area have been completed, and water flow is expected to resume from Thursday. In the Technopark-Kazhakootam region, pipeline work is under way but has been delayed due to pending road-cutting permissions. The minister said steps have been directed to resolve the issue, which is reportedly linked to defects liability period (DLP) conditions.
Coordinated Efforts
Officials discussed coordinated efforts by the Kerala Water Authority to mitigate the impact of the ongoing dry spell and ensure adequate drinking water supply across the state.
