Keralam government rolls out drought preparedness measures ahead of summer

The looming threat of an El Niño-induced summer drought has put the State government on a high alert, with the authorities all set to kick start works to shore up drinking water supplies and tackle existing shortages.

Statutory committees chaired by MLAs will be constituted in every Assembly constituency to coordinate drought mitigation efforts and address water supply issues within a fixed time frame. The committees will include elected representatives of local bodies and officials of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Water Resources, Public Works and Local Self-Government departments, besides the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Representatives of the Forest department will also be included in constituencies adjoining forest areas.

“The committees will become operational in January and meet every month. Issues that remain unresolved at the constituency level will be taken up at ministerial-level meetings held once every three months. Ministers of the departments concerned will jointly examine and resolve issues, including those related to road restoration and road cutting for Jal Jeevan Mission works,” said Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph.

The measures were finalised at a high-level meeting chaired by Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Mr. Joseph in Kottayam the other day. The meeting also reviewed the status of drinking water supply schemes and the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) across the district’s Assembly constituencies.

Mr. Joseph said steps would be taken to complete all JJM projects in Kottayam district within the extended deadline granted by the Centre.

“Nearly 450 JJM projects across the State remain stalled as construction could not be completed within the time frame stipulated by the Centre. The State has sought the Centre’s support to resolve the issue. A satisfactory drinking water supply system in the district can be ensured only by completing both stalled projects and those currently under way. The objective is to complete and commission the first phase of these projects within the next year,” he said.

Public grievance redressal adalats will also be organised in December and January to address complaints, including those related to the KWA bills.

The meeting also discussed replacing the ageing pipelines supplying water to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam. The work is estimated to cost ₹85 lakh, of which the medical college authorities have agreed to contribute ₹25 lakh, while the Water Authority will bear the remaining ₹60 lakh.

A special meeting will be convened to explore a dedicated project to tackle the proliferation of water hyacinth in the Kuttanad and Upper Kuttanad regions. Based on its recommendations, measures will be taken to clear the weed and ensure the smooth flow of water through the region’s water bodies.