KOZHIKODE: As the searing summer is getting hotter, news of drinking water scarcity is pouring in especially from rural parts of the district. In coastal areas, salt water has begun to seep into wells causing much hardship to households. Sights of women and children carrying pots of water on heads and waiting for water to be distributed in lorries are common in Ramanattukara, Beypore, Nallalam areas.
“The entire area under former Ramanattukara panchayat is reeling under water shortage,” said Ramana-ttukara municipal chairman Vazhayil Balakrishnan. “We have intimated district collector about the situation.”
Beypore, Medical College, Peruvayal, and Nanmanda have also started facing water shortage. The Japan-aided drinking water project has been completed only by 40 per centage and there is not network connectivity in all places where the pipe has been laid for the project.
In the corporation limit alone, the pipe has been laid in 262 kms and 465 km is pending. Power failure is another hazard common people have to suffer to pump water. “Our water level had touched the bottom. But even the available water cannot be pumped due to the frequent power off,” fumed Ratheesh, P.R, a native of Mankavu.
Kerala Water Authority superintending engineer C K Preethimol told DC that on Wednesday, they had received 28 complaints of pipe leaks. Of this, 20 is from Kozhikode and 8 from Vadakara. “KWA is ready to supply treated water to water- scarce areas. Resident associations, clubs or public can contact us,” she said.
