Water is going to be a real problem soon
Kerala, though supposed to be land of water, is going to have a very tough situation as far as drinking water is concerned. The reports coming from the Ground Water Department are showing red signals. The department based on a study in the Ernakulam district says that acute scarcity of fresh water is not far of in the district. The immediate cause of this situation is the failure of monsoon. Naturally this scarcity can be expected throughout the State, since monsoon was playing hide and seek throughout.The ground water level has dropped by 1.81 meters in February itself in certain places in the district. The water level was measured from bore wells not shallow wells. This much of dropping was unusual according to the Department. The sample inspection made at different parts of the district gave similar results, though with variations. If this dry spell is going to continue it will definitely affect the irrigation and the availability of drinking water.
Experts are of the opinion that in addition to failure of monsoon, sand mining from rivers is also a major reason for this situation. Disappearing wetlands, which have very high water retention capacity, is also said to be another reason for this dropping of water level.
This report points to the need for awareness campaigns among people on the careful use of water in every field.
