A total of 2,567 out of 21,472 wards in Kerala have been identified as the most drought-affected, with Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram districts topping the list, according to a recent study.
Based on a comprehensive survey across wards and panchayats, the report found that 24.74% wards in Kasaragod and 22.01% in Thiruvananthapuram are facing severe water stress.
The survey was jointly conducted by the Center for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), Kerala Forest Research Institute and Institute of Climate Change Studies under a project titled “Identification of Water Stress Hotspots in Kerala” and was funded by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment. The study covered all districts in 2024, except Palakkad. The report will serve as one of the foundations for future water stress assessments in the state, the researchers said.
Published – 29 Apr 2026 20:27 IST
