Monsoon gets weak, but water levels maximum in reservoirs

Thiruvananthapuram: With few days remaining for southwest monsoon to withdraw, the district is witnessing its weakest phase. In the past one week, the monsoon has been very deficient in the district.
After the heavy rainfall, which wreaked the entire state during mid-August, the district has witnessed a downward trend in the amount of rainfall.
Compared to last year’s weak southwest monsoon, there is enough water in dams that will help tide over crisis during summer this year.
As southwest monsoon was 12% deficient last year, the district had to face severe crisis during summer. The Kerala water authority had to pump water from Neyyar to Aruvikkara to supply drinking water to the city.
However, this time the monsoon has filled major dams in the district to the brim.
The Peppara dam, which is the major source of drinking water for the city, has its water level at 107.5 metres, which is its maximum level. KWA officials said that despite poor rainfall in the past few weeks, there is inflow that keeps the level at the maximum point.
The situation of Neyyar dam too is no different. The dam, a major source of water for irrigation purposes in the district, has its water level at 84.100 metres.
The irrigation department is maintaining the water level by keeping two shutters opened. The full reservoir level of Neyyar dam is 84.750 metres.
Meanwhile, situation is not favourable for the Vamanapuram River, which is depended on by Varkala and Attingal areas for drinking water. The Vamanapuram River, which lacks a reservoir, is witnessing a fall in water level.
However, KWA officials said that situation is not alarming. “There is normal flow of water. So far, KWA projects are not affected,” said a KWA official.
The situation of next summer could be predicted only after the northeast monsoon which is from October to December.
Last year, northeast monsoon was 28% excess in the district. The district normally receives 522 mm rainfall during northeast monsoon season and 871 mm rainfall during southwest monsoon.