THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 'Mountain-sized' silt and sand have accumulated in 16 dams under the Irrigation Department. Water storage has been affected due to this. Adequate distribution of water is also not happening. As the summer heats up, the water level in most of the dams has reduced by half. The reason is that the distillation project to remove silt and sand is dragging on.

These dams are filled with more than 100 million cubic meters (40%) of silt and sand. This is according to various studies conducted after the 2018 floods. A plan was prepared to remove silt and sand from dams like Meenkara, Chulliyar, Walayar, Mangalam, Malampuzha, Pothundi, Kanjirapuzha, Pazhassi, Chimmini and Malankara. Rs 500 crore was allocated for this in the 2021 budget.

Subsequently, tenders were invited separately for each dam, but contract was signed only in some places. Although a pilot project was inaugurated in Aruvikkara, no further action was taken. Authorities say that the water in the dams is insufficient for the coming months due to insufficient summer rains.

One million cubic meters more storage

Up to one million cubic meters more water can be stored in each dam if the silt and sand are removed. Officials say that the inability to store enough water in the dams will hamper irrigation as the drought worsens every year.

Mud and soil in dams

(in million cubic meters)

Meenkara.................................. 1.128

Chulliyar.......................... 1.1333

Walayar................................ 1.340

Mangalam................................ 2.79

Malampuzha................................ 48.36

Pothundi................................ 3.758

Kanjirapuzha................. 16.984

Kuttyadi................................ 28.30

Karapuzha................................. 5.565

Pazhassi................................. 18.005

Neyyar................................. 8.27

Kallada.................................. 28.608

Malankara................................ 17.799

Chimmini................................. 1.13

Maniyar................................. 0.66