Dry spell peaks: Drinking water misuse made punishable
- Water scarcity has severely affected Malappuram, Palakkad and Kasargod districts.
- The KWA has imposed restrictions on water use across the state.
- Special squads will make regular inspections to check misuse of water.
FollowIntermittent summer rains did not give much relief to the dry spell in the state as it stares at acute water shortage in the weeks ahead. In the face of the   crisis, the state government has imposed strict restrictions in water use. Even though the state is blessed with 44 rivers, the severe summer has affected the state like never before, forcing the government to criminalise misuse of drinking water.
Â
Kerala Water Authority (KWA) brought in strict regulations in supplying drinking water through its network in the state capital after Peppara Dam dried up. The water needs of the capital city are met by water stored in Aruvikkara dam, which is replenished by the overflow from Peppara hydropower plant. As the power generation stopped, thanks to water shortage, Thiruvananthapuram is desperately looking for other water resources to meet the daily requirements. As the water situation turned grim, the KWA reduced the pumping from Aruvikkara Dam by 25%. The capital city needs 400 million litres of water per day, of which 300 million litres is provided by Aruvkikkara Dam.
Â
As per the latest estimation by the KWA, the water in Aruvikkara Dam will not be sufficient for a month as the summer will peak in the weeks to come.
Â
Water scarcity has severely affected Malappuram, Palakkad and Kasargod districts. Besides the severely affected areas, all the districts would see restrictions in water use. The KWA special squads will make regular inspections across the state to check water misuse. The government has directed the authorities to impose criminal case against water theft and misuse.
Â
