The water level in the Pazhassi reservoir is dropping fast as Kannur continues to experience intense summer heat, raising concerns about the availability of drinking water in the district.
The water level in the reservoir was dropping by 3 to 4 centimeters per day, about 2.5 meters per month. The storage level, which was 26.52 meters in the first week of February, has now dropped to 24.04 meters, forcing the authorities to stop water supply through the Pazhassi canal as the levels continued to fall.
Officials attribute the decline primarily to reduced inflow from rivers. The usual ‘Thulavarsha’ (receding monsoon) rain was significantly weaker this year, and even the expected summer showers did not reach the basin.
The situation has been worsened by light rainfall in Kodagu district, which contributes water to the basin. Several springs inside the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary have dried up, sharply reducing the flow into the Barapole River. The Bavali River, which flows through the Aralam and Kottiyoor Nature Reserves, is also experiencing a major drop in water flow.
Moreover, the Kakkuva and Cheekani rivers, originating in the forest areas, have completely stopped flowing. Many small springs in the hill ranges that feed the Bavali and Barapole rivers have also dried up.
The authorities claim that a minimum storage level of 18 meters is required for the smooth functioning of pumping stations supplying drinking water. If the water level drops by more than 6 meters, the district could face a severe shortage of drinking water.
Nearly two-thirds of Kannur district depends on the Pazhassi project for drinking water. Currently, pumping stations still have enough water, but officials warn that drinking water supplies could be affected if the heat and drought continue until the end of April.
More than 50 million liters of water for drinking purposes are pumped from the reservoir daily. The project supplies water to one corporation, seven municipalities and 36 panchayats through six major drinking water schemes, besides five smaller projects.
Authorities noted that extensive daily pumping of about 250 million liters, along with reduced inflow, is gradually depleting supplies, with only about one-third of the water currently replenished by the natural springs feeding the reservoir.
Published – 15 March 2026 18:54 IST
