Yesterday I heard in the news that Bharathapuzha has broken into two pieces.. the river has refused to run it's course! It is normal for this river to run a little dry during the dry season but this is the first time that it has been entirely broken up. There were newspaper reports about rampant sand mining on this river.
The following photos were taken in year 2007. During each monsoon, this river spills onto the road but since the last few years it has not done so.
More photos can be viewed on my other blog :
I also remember the time more than a decade back when this water came around the house too. This happens very rarely.
The following photos were taken during June of year 2009.
You can see the level of water. I doubt if water level will ever rise like before.
Kerala is indeed going to face tough times.
Recently during a discussion I realized that most Keralites are not aware of the relation between low lying fallow lands (Wet Lands) and ground water table. Earlier Kerala had much wet lands either as paddy fields, temple ponds or small ponds dug in each plot to catch the rain water and let it seep back into the ground. This person whom I spoke to wanted to know why we should retain paddy fields if we are not cultivating. Yes it is unfortunate that we are not cultivating and I am sure it looks like a waste of land but these low lying lands are important since only they can replenish the ground water.
Each rainy season brings enough water to Kerala and can be used wisely. Rain water harvesting has started in Kerala but the decision is late.
From March until the monsoon the well in our place becomes muddy since the level of water in the river falls very low. Right now we are pumping the river water and letting it seep into the ground. The water in the well is then just enough for a small household. We are also planning a solar energy system if we get a good company to do the same. A rain water harvesting system is also thought of. The day the river in front of us dry up then one can be sure that Kerala has become a desert!
For sure, if adequate measures are not taken the following scenes will be seen all over Kerala.
http://www.commonfloor.com/news/flat-dwellers-facing-water-shortage-in-kerala-27262
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2963866.ece
http://www.cedindia.org/2008/10/development-of-drought-indices-for-kerala/
Sand-mining had led to depletion of the groundwater level and had affected the water flow. Saline water entered the river easily, especially during summer. The three-month ban on sand-mining during monsoon was also not being enforced, he said.But let me forget this river for a moment and talk about the one that runs in front of our place. It has it's origin from both the Pampa river and Manimala river. Both these rivers originates from the western ghats and from the district of Idukki. It has to be fed by rain and for the last two years monsoon has not been good. The Pamba is considered as the Dakshina Ganga (Southern Ganges) due to its association with Kerala's Largest Pilgrim Centre - Sabarimala. Manimala river passes through the districts of Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and finally joins the Pamba River at Muttar near Tiruvalla in Alappuzha district; very close to our place. From here it runs it's course through Kuttanad and joins the great Vembanad lake.
The following photos were taken in year 2007. During each monsoon, this river spills onto the road but since the last few years it has not done so.
More photos can be viewed on my other blog :
I also remember the time more than a decade back when this water came around the house too. This happens very rarely.
The following photos were taken during June of year 2009.
You can see the level of water. I doubt if water level will ever rise like before.
Kerala is indeed going to face tough times.
The State Disaster Management Authority has declared four districts drought-affected, with the monsoon months of June, July, and August bringing very little rain.
The districts declared drought affected are Wayanad, Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, and Kollam, an official press release said on Thursday. The State as a whole has received only 77 per cent of the normal monsoon rainfall so far. Rainfall was especially less in the above four districts.
Recently during a discussion I realized that most Keralites are not aware of the relation between low lying fallow lands (Wet Lands) and ground water table. Earlier Kerala had much wet lands either as paddy fields, temple ponds or small ponds dug in each plot to catch the rain water and let it seep back into the ground. This person whom I spoke to wanted to know why we should retain paddy fields if we are not cultivating. Yes it is unfortunate that we are not cultivating and I am sure it looks like a waste of land but these low lying lands are important since only they can replenish the ground water.
Each rainy season brings enough water to Kerala and can be used wisely. Rain water harvesting has started in Kerala but the decision is late.
The Government of India has directed the State Government to provide certain provisions in building rules, pertaining to incorporation of rooftop rainwater harvesting arrangements in building.I fervently hope that monsoon will not fail the coming year too or should it? Just so that people will wake up finally? Else like Kuwait, one should build desalination plants for water supplies. But water is not the only issue. Can one imagine Kerala without all the greenery? I would rather quit my state than see it is such a sad situation. Then there is the issue of power too since 35% of power comes from hydroelectric power stations which depend on rain water.
From March until the monsoon the well in our place becomes muddy since the level of water in the river falls very low. Right now we are pumping the river water and letting it seep into the ground. The water in the well is then just enough for a small household. We are also planning a solar energy system if we get a good company to do the same. A rain water harvesting system is also thought of. The day the river in front of us dry up then one can be sure that Kerala has become a desert!
For sure, if adequate measures are not taken the following scenes will be seen all over Kerala.
http://www.commonfloor.com/news/flat-dwellers-facing-water-shortage-in-kerala-27262
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2963866.ece
http://www.cedindia.org/2008/10/development-of-drought-indices-for-kerala/
