Central team to visit drought-hit areas in Kerala

A Central team will visit Kerala from April 18 to take stock of the prevailing drought situation and recommend financial assistance.
Announcing this, State Water Resources Minister Mathew T Thomas told reporters here today that the government was prepared to face the situation which was severe.
On the steps taken to tackle drinking water shortage, Thomas said nearly 20,000 borewells had been made operational.
Restrictions had also been imposed on use of water for non-domestic purposes, he said adding that use of ground water for commercial purposes had been limited to 25 per cent.
The water level in Peppara dam near here, the main source forsupplying drinking water to the city, was only enough to meet the needs till May 18 at the current consumption level, he said.

The level in the dam was depleting fast, forcing the Water Authority to bring in restrictions for the city also, the Minister said.