THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Onam festival approaches, the capital city is grappling with a severe drinking water shortage due to ongoing pipeline replacement work. The disruption, which is expected to last until this afternoon, has severely impacted residents and administrative operations alike.

The Secretariat, the administrative hub of the state, has been particularly affected. Offices within the Secretariat have been without water since morning, causing significant inconvenience. Both toilets and canteens have run out of water, leaving ministers and officials in a difficult position.

The situation has also distressed visitors to the city, many of whom are struggling to find bottled water. With no alternative sources of water, many residents have temporarily relocated to other areas.

Efforts to mitigate the problem have been hampered. Although the municipality has attempted to provide water via tankers, no substantial action was taken until late in the day. This is reportedly the first time the Secretariat has experienced a total water outage.

The water supply disruption is linked to the replacement of the transmission pipeline from Nemam and Airanimuttam, necessitated by the doubling of the Thiruvananthapuram-Nagarkovil railway line. The water authority is overseeing the work, which is expected to be completed today as per the Railways' request.

Approximately 45 wards across the city's main areas are affected by the interruption. Despite prior notifications about the suspension, the water authority has not put in place an alternative water supply system. A meeting held yesterday under Minister Roshi Augustine discussed the possibility of using tankers from the city council as a temporary solution. However, this measure failed to address the immediate needs of the Secretariat and other critical offices. Minister Roshi Augustine has instructed the Water Authority to expedite efforts to resolve the crisis promptly.