“If the present climatic conditions continue for a couple of months, the state would face acute shortage of drinking water,’’ Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran said at a press conference here on Thursday.

Compared to the previous year, there is depletion of about 28 percent in the groundwater resources in the state. Hence the situation is very severe especially in rural and urban areas which mainly depend on small-scale drinking water projects. But in cities which depend on major drinking water projects, the situation is not that alarming. ``Many parts of Sasthamcottah freshwater lake, which is the major drinking water source of Kollam district, have dried up, ‘’ Premachandran said.

A high-level meeting convened on Thursday by the Minister decided to take measures to tackle the drought-like situation.

Among the immediate steps are construction of temporary check-dams, commissioning of groundwater based small-scale drinking water projects at 73 places identified by the Ground Water Department, carrying out maintenance of existing drinking water projects, control water valves to regulate supply and enhance pumping at the existing schemes. It is estimated that about Rs 40 crore would be needed for implementing these proposals and it would be placed for Cabinet approval, said the Minister.

In order to check misuse and illegal use of drinking water, a special drive would be lauched in the state from March 5 to 20. Criminal procedures would be initiated against the offenders, he said.

The Centre for Water Resources Development and Management has been asked to submit a report on the present status of surface water and groundwater resources in the state within ten days, the Minister said.