The Kerala Water Authority (KWA), which is feeling the heat of the deficient monsoon, will wait for a week to decide on bringing water from Neyyar Dam as the current reservoir, Peppara Dam, is showing an alarming dip in water level. In a meeting of high-level officials of KWA, it was decided to assess the monsoon situation for a week.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has raised objections to the move to lay pipelines along the forest land in Neyyar.
After a long break, the monsoon had regained activity last week, triggering widespread rainfall. “Now, Peppara Dam can support the city for the next 45 days. We will wait for a week to assess the situation. A decision on laying the pipeline from Neyyar to bring water will be taken only after that,” KWA Chief Engineer Krishnakumar said.
In a meeting convened recently by Water Resources Minister P J Joseph, Forest officials reportedly expressed displeasure over the proposed plan to bring water from Neyyar Dam to Aruvikkara. However, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest V Gopinathan refused to comment stating that he did not want to make the issue controversial.
Meanwhile, KWA officials expressed confidence in carrying out the work as the Minister has given a go-ahead for the project.
It is learnt that the KWA is waiting for a week to sort out the issue with the Forest officials, who are adamant on their stand. The Government had recently decided to sanction ` 3.5 lakh to bring water from Neyyar.
The India Meteorological Department is expecting afternoon thundershowers on one or two days during this week under the influence of an upper air cyclonic circulation over the peninsular region. Also, increase in monsoon activity is expected after August 27 as an upper air cyclonic circulation may occur near the Odisha coast over the Bay of Bengal.
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