Thiruvananthapuram: If the dry patch continues, water in Peppara dam will be over three weeks before the scheduled onset of the South-West Monsoon on June 1. The water level in the city’s prime drinking water source reached 100.80m on Tuesday. The drawable level of water in Peppara dam is below 90 metres. The only hope remains on summer rains for which predictions are not yet available. In 2013, the level of water in Peppara dam had plunged to the worst of around 91metres.
However, irrigation officials remember that several showers occurred after December saving the city. “We will need just two-three days of strong rains. The problem is summer rains do not occur in catchment areas. So, if rains do not come by April, there could be rationing in the city,” said a senior official. The storage limit of Peppara dam was raised from 104 metres to around 107.5 metres in previous years.
Talks have been progressing to raise the storage limit to the maximum of 110.5 metres. “Last year, we had sumptuous pre and post monsoons that helped maintain a healthy water level constantly. Even in 2012, when we had the worst drought, the situation was not as bad as this,” the official added. The water from Peppara is released daily to Aruvikkara reservoir from where it is supplied to the city.
