The State has been in the mouth of the atrocious floods that hit Kerala last year. State Water Authority had gone through a rough patch during the deluge. The state water authority is embarking a milestone by overcoming the drastic losses and damages caused by the torrent. It was done through the timely and effective actions, that made successful the disbursement of freshwater to thousands.
The Water Authority took up the operation to get adequate fresh water to the relief camps and flood-affected areas which was considered a herculean task. About 9.15 lakh litres of freshwater was supplied to nearly 1822 regions via tanker trucks. 7 districts suffered hardships due to contaminated water resources and damaged pipelines, particularly Kuttanadu. Water kiosks were established to provide fresh water in these regions. In particular, kiosks with the capacity to hold 1000/2000 litres of water were installed in Kuttanadu and Chengannur regions. About 483 drinking water schemes were engulfed in the torrent. Within a couple of days, about 200 programmes were reinitiated. It made possible to restart production within 15 days, except the two per cent of total production. About 26 bore wells were used to supply water in Kuttanadu taluk; four sank in the deluge. Water refinery with a storage capacity of 14 lakh litre had to be shut down for 72 hours. Water pump, motor and other machinery in several pump houses were out of order. The repairing was done on war footing as water level decreased; ensuring freshwater supply to all regions. The water is dispensed in Kuttanadu by using four R.O plants donated by Government of Telangana which has a water capacity of 10,000 litres, ten R.O plants by Piramal Foundation and few R.O plants from Water Authority. Also, there are water reservoirs with the storage capacity of 1000/2000 litres. 8 new tube wells were made in the region. About 70 community water filters of 25 litres were given to anganwadis. With the help local self- governing bodies, about 1,10,000 jerrycans of 15 litres were distributed to supply fresh water from kiosks to households; also ensuring 176 kiosks in association with LSGBs. Water authority directly installed 40 reservoirs/kiosks and ten new tanks in various regions. Residential chorine levels were measured in 685 points, and 1200 leakages have been identified and repaired. Water samples brought by people were examined freely, and super-chlorination was conducted in water supply schemes.
WATER DISTRIBUTION AT SABARIMALA
The Water Authority received applauses for the successful supply of drinking water in Sabarimala after floods. Pumba- Thriveni pump houses were made re-functional on a war foot basis. In addition to 40 lakh litres of water reservoir at Nilakkal, 3 steel panel tanks worth 5 lakh litre capacity, and 215 LL DPE tanks of 5000 litres were installed. 25.75 lakh litres of water was stored and supplied, distributing 130 lakh litres of water per day. Through 39 R.O. plants, over 12 lakh litres of freshwater provided every day. It was done through 834 taps in 331 kiosks. Facilities were arranged in major zones for undisrupted water supply. Pilgrims were provided with
adequate water over 12 dispensaries.
SAFE DRINKING WATER
Rs. 8503 lakhs were provided for 1661 post-flood rebuild activities and 1031 were completed. Water Authority of Kerala launched 189 rebuilding activities worth Rs. 25,832 crores. Proposals worth Rs. 11,340 crores for the major 128 schemes were submitted to RKI. 55 schemes worth Rs. 1901 crore was earmarked in flood-hit seven districts. Water supply can be provided to 55,000 families through the implementation of 12 schemes worth Rs. 301 crores.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS FOR DAMS
IDRB is preparing an emergency action plan draft for the 13 out of 16 dams and one barrage under the Water Department following the guidelines of Central Water Commission. Integrated reservoir operations and flood warning system are sanctioned for implementation in Pamba-Periyar reservoirs under the guidance of Australian Water Partnership and Japan Water Agencies. Rule curves of seven out of 13 dams were prepared and submitted to the Central Water Commission.
Flood Warning Systems will be included in the National Hydrology Project to install the same in river basins of Periyar, Chalakkudy, and the rivers flowing towards Kuttanad. A bid has been issued following the guidelines of World Bank for this purpose. The installation of instrumentation and surveillance in dams were sanctioned under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project. Real-time Data Acquisition System in 44 rivers in the state wasfreshwater providedimplementation.
RESPONSIBLY WATER DEPARTMENT
The Water Authority also faced challenges in the fury of the massive deluge. With proper operations and subsequent precautions, the agriculture sector was secured with adequate water supply.
