Central Travancore wilts under heat, water sources run dry

Even the occasional summer showers did little to bring relief to Central Travancore, which continued to wilt under the intense heat. As temperatures steadily increased, water levels in the region dropped sharply. While wells are rapidly withdrawn, streams and other natural water resources have remained dry for months. The small amount of water remaining in low-lying areas is stagnant and dirty.

The Pampa River, which is a lifeline to the three regions, is currently divided into many parts. All that remains is water trapped in rocky crevices, and riverside residents are forced to bathe and wash their clothes in these shallow pools. The Kakkad River and the Kallar, both tributaries of the Pampa, have also almost dried up, leaving stagnant, green-coloured pools. While the Meenachil River is also facing a similar crisis, water levels in the Manimala River have also fallen sharply.