Acute water scarcity hits Ward 15 in Chellanam grama panchayat

With water scarcity worsening in Chellanam panchayat, residents of certain areas in Ward 15 have been without potable water for over 20 days. With the issue remaining largely unresolved despite repeated complaints to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), the residents are planning to intensify agitation.

Tony Thayyil, member, Ward 15, said the residents had been facing acute water scarcity, with a few families experiencing a shortage for over 20 days. “There are regions where the water supply has been affected for over 20 days. Moreover, the water being supplied reeks of dirt, is highly saline, and unfit for drinking. We have repeatedly sought the intervention of the KWA in the matter, but to no avail. We now intend to intensify our protest,” said Mr. Thayyil.

The other day, the residents staged a protest by blocking the road near Maleyeparambu Junction. Mr. Thayyil said the panchayat had decided to supply water through tankers to address the shortage. “Around 25,000 people live in the ward. We believe we are not receiving water because of inadequate pumping pressure,” he added.

V.T. Sebastian, a resident of Ward 19, who is also the convener of Chellam-Kochi Janakeeya Vedi, said the issue could be addressed to a certain extent if periodic maintenance work were done by the KWA. “Many residents have been receiving water with high salinity. This prompts them to let the tap run for extended periods, which further contributes to the loss of water. Supply disruptions have mostly hit wards 14, 15 and 16,” he added.

According to KWA, the issue is being sorted out, and the water supply will be restored within two to three days. “A few leaks were identified, and maintenance work is on. Superchlorination will be done once the leaks are sealed and maintenance work is over,” said a KWA official.