The Hindu 27.04.2010
Water shortage in Kannur town, nearby areas
Special Correspondent
| Disruption in KWA supply worsens situation |
Groundwater
wells go dry
Power disruption to blame for water shortage: KWA
KANNUR: Parts of Kannur town and its suburbs are reeling under a severe shortage of water.
Matters are made worse by the frequent disruption of supply of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA).
People are experiencing an unprecedented drinking water scarcity, with open groundwater wells in different areas, including those in the municipal limits and nearby panchayats, going dry.
With the KWA supply remaining disrupted for days in some parts, households and eateries depend on parallel supply of water by private individuals. Even that is being affected owing to the receding groundwater level. Restaurants and hotels have been badly hit. Many restaurants remain open only when they can arrange water supply.
Repeated disruptions in the KWA supply are putting people to hardship, especially those who depend solely on the water sourced from the Pazhassi Irrigation Project reservoir at Veliyambra. Supply of water from Veliyambra has been irregular since January last. Regular leaks in the old pipeline from the pumping station to the overhead tank here and frequent disruptions in the supply of power to the pumping station add to the problem.
KWA Assistant Executive Engineer Rameshan Koyilotan said disruption of power to the pumping station was a major cause of the water shortage. He said when pumping was disrupted for 40 minutes, it took eight hours for the water to reach the tank.
