DROUGHT IN KERALA

The south-west monsoon is just over, and four districts in Kerala have already been declared as drought-stricken. The state's economy is largely dependent on the monsoon and the present deficiency is sure to affect its climate, economy and agriculture. In hydro-electric projects, only 40 per cent of water remains and the water level of the rivers are alarmingly low. Idukki, Wayanad, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts have been declared as drought-stricken by the State Disaster Management Commission. Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts will also find space in the list soon.

Instead of the usual 204 cm of rain that is expected between June and September, the state received nearly 24 per cent less rainfall at 155 cm. While the northern districts received normal rainfall, the southern districts were hit badly. The state is now pinning its hopes on the north-east monsoons which are expected to begin soon. "The state has to receive 292 cm of rain every year. The north-east monsoon is usually stable. But if it fails to match the expected levels, the state may face a perilous situation," says P.S. Biju, scientist-in-charge, Thiruvananthapuram weather observation centre. 

The power crisis will be the biggest problem if the monsoon evades the state. At present, nearly 40 per cent of the state's power demands are met by hydro-electric projects. The water stored in the state's dams will be hardly enough to produce electricity for two months. Agriculture, too, will suffer. The production of coconut, paddy and cardamom largely depends on the south-west monsoon. The state's apathy to environment conservation has to be blamed for the plight, says Harish Vasudevan, noted environmentalist. "The government has not taken the issue seriously. Environmentalists say the state's intervention and land utilisation in the Western Ghats influences rainfall. In that case, the conservation of this highly ecologically fragile area should be among the top priorities of the state." Our food, water and lives are based on ecological subsidies, he says.

Meanwhile, former minister for electricity, N.K. Premachandran blames it on the government's reluctance to take precautions. "The state is heading towards a crisis due to unscientific planning and lack of effective management. Though weather scientists had sent many alerts about low rainfall, the government did not bother to act." Careful steps should be taken to control the use of electricity, he suggests. "A political consensus is the need of the time,".

                                               Prof. John Kurakar