Residents of Cheruvakkal near Sreekaryam in Thiruvananthapuram have been left without drinking water for nearly a week after supply dropped to near zero. The crisis has exposed the strain on the city's ageing distribution network and delays in restoring disrupted lines during peak summer demand.
Severe Shortage Worsens
The water crisis, which has been brewing over the past three months, worsened sharply last week, with households receiving no piped water at all. The disruption has also affected neighbouring Pulayanarkotta, while complaints of irregular supply have emerged from Akkulam, Ulloor Prasanth Nagar, an area near HLL Lifecare factory, and near the College of Engineering. These reports point to a wider problem across the capital city.
Residents allege that delays in repair work and inadequate maintenance of pipelines have prolonged the crisis. Bindu S, ward member and a resident of Cheruvakkal, said the area had never faced such a severe shortage in recent years.
Residents Speak Out
"We have not experienced a crisis like this. Water supply disruption started around three months ago, but the situation worsened steadily. Supply has been completely cut off for the past one week. Although water tankers are being arranged in some areas, they cannot reach many low-lying regions. People there are left with no choice but to buy water or depend entirely on wells," she said.
Residents say the disruption has severely affected daily life, with households struggling to meet basic needs. "Families are finding it difficult to do cooking, washing and other daily activities. Buying water regularly is expensive and not a sustainable solution," said Krishna K, another resident.
Water Tankers Deployed, But Uneven Access
Water tankers have been deployed in several residential pockets to ease the shortage, but uneven access has left many without reliable alternatives. The situation is particularly acute in areas where terrain and narrow roads restrict tanker movement. Residents in low-lying regions are especially vulnerable, as tankers cannot reach them.
Kerala Water Authority Response
Kerala Water Authority officials attributed the disruption to technical issues in the system. "The interruption in water supply is due to air blocks in the pipeline. Efforts are on to clear the issue and restore normal supply at the earliest," an official said. However, residents remain sceptical, given the prolonged nature of the crisis.
The water shortage has become a major concern for the affected communities, who are demanding immediate action to restore supply and prevent future occurrences. The situation underscores the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades in the city's water distribution network.
