Local bodies fail to supply potable water to drought-hit areas

The water supply in drought-hit areas is yet to pick up though the district administration has directed that a part of the Plan funds of local bodies be used for the purpose till the end of the summer season. The opening of water kiosks in municipalities and grama panchayats, where the Kerala Water Authority has limited access, too is in limbo.

As a result, people in drought-hit areas are largely depending on water supplied by voluntary organisations and political parties. The declining water level in open wells is also a concern.

Officials in the District Planning Department say panchayats can spend up to ₹11 lakh from their own funds to supply drinking water in April and May. For the municipalities, the limit is ₹16.50 lakh.

For the coastal communities in Koyilandy, Payyoli and Vadakara, the contamination of water sources and increased salinity continue to be a big challenge. In Kozhikode city limit, the families living close to the Canolly canal are mainly bearing the brunt. M. Sajan, a resident in the area, say the majority of them are still dependant on the service of private tanker lorries to get drinking water.

Water Authority Department officials say they had recently sanctioned new connections to such families along the Canolly canal. Earlier, the regions were largely dependant on the tanker supply during the summer season, they point out.

Though the government has issued directives to various local bodies to instantly clear the requests for drilling borewells in drought-hit areas, applicants still struggle to get No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Ground Water Department. Because of the poor staff strength, the issuing of NOCs is moving at a snail’s pace in the district.