When the water level in the wells and reservoirs drops dangerously to the point where Kerala's drinking water supply is cut off, the government should urgently take measures to solve the problem. However, our correspondent reported the other day that the law mandating rainwater harvesting in buildings is being subverted due to the negligence of officials.

Twenty years ago, the LSG department issued an order making rainwater harvesting mandatory. In 2011, the rule was revised to make it mandatory for buildings above 1,500 square feet and eight cents. In 2019, it was again revised and rainwater storage was made mandatory except for buildings up to three thousand square feet at five cents. Rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory for all houses, flats and office complexes falling under this limit, but many do not follow it. The provision states that no number should be given to buildings without rainwater tanks to which the law applies. A building permit should be applied for by adding a rainwater tank to the plan. Local bodies have also announced a fifty percent subsidy. A family of five needs a tank capable of storing ten thousand litres of water. Jalanidhi will bear 90 per cent of the cost of such reservoirs, which will be constructed using ferrocement. People generally have no idea about this. It is known that people are generally not interested in rainwater harvesting because there is not enough awareness in this regard. Urgent efforts should be made by the Water Resources Department.

There are reports that the groundwater table is dropping to a great extent. In 2022, the water table was 13 feet, but now it is less than 10 feet. In the inspection conducted jointly by the Central Ground Water Board and the State Ground Water Department by standardizing the water table in 152 blocks across the state, it was found that there are three blocks in the critical category and 30 blocks in the partial critical category. Due to the lack of summer rains, the water level in the dams has also started to drop significantly.

Wells have started drying up in many districts of the state. It is reported that the water level in the wells has dropped below two and a half meters. Rainwater harvesting is an important aspect of water conservation. Building permit issuers should clearly check for rainwater harvesting. Taking a bribe and turning a blind eye would be a crime against the state. Experts point out that not only new buildings but also old buildings should be provided with rainwater storage and groundwater recharge methods due to the law. The state is heading towards severe drought. The benefit of rainwater harvesting should be included when summer rains are expected. This is not a problem that can be solved by the authorities alone. People should also cooperate. Councillors and panchayat members of local wards should take the initiative in this regard.