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WATER RESOURCES
3.1 INTRODUCTION
From the point of view of water resources, Kerala is having both ablmdance
and scarcity. The average annual rainfall of the State is 3000mm. However, the spatial
and temporal distribution pattern is mainly responsible for the frequent floods and
droughts in Kerala. The average annual rainfall in the lowland of Kerala ranges from
900 mm in the south to 3500 mm in the north. In the midland, annual rainfall ranges
from 1400 mm in the south to 4000 mm in the north. In the highlands, annual rainfall
varies from 2500 mm in the south to about 6000 mm in the north. About 60% of the
annual rainfall in the State is received during the South -West monsoon (June -
August), 25% during North - East monsoon (September - November) and the
remaining during the summer months (Fig. 3.1). Though it has forty four rivers, most
of these monsoon-fed, short rivers dry up during summer (Fig. 3.2). Fourty one rivers
originate from the Western Ghats, flow towards the west and join the Lakshadweep
Sea, while the other three originate from the Western Ghats within Kerala State and
join the Bay of Bengal. In this state with maximum open wells per square kilometer,
35
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005
77"'A'
...'00
\,,~I10 ••
eo
.
"~9b.
20
T
~ 40
KARNATAKA SCALE
12
TAMIL NADU
I"
ef
10· 10"
LEGEND
lsohyet 'n mm 1.200
0' O'
7!dn' 76···· ..
SOURCE: Water Atlas of Kerala. 1995
36
WATER RESOURCES
SCALE
••• 10 0 III 40 III 10 mlCJo
~ I ' , , .
1
0'
,MY'"
'-i .~, •••
.!) •••••••••••
(,!) •••••••
~ ..._.U
I') ._ ••••
® -8e·.'•••.--•••._.-....,...~....."..'...
e8"-
.I()~
jj)
@!
@
w .••••
e.•.......
•...•..
ii~....
,@ft(r.!l~e
f,
.r<'"
iJ'
_u
'In,,,
•••••••
••••••••••
..,
''''~IIf_
....
•.••.•.•••••..
,....
....••. "..
u••
..•••••.••••
••••••
w,"""""'."
•••••
••
•••••••••,,,,
~n
••••
if!)
•• .,
-_ J'" •••
••
•••••
1
"j! ••••••
® ~-,,-
8 ~ ....
'~ -
TAMIL NADU
11
0'
O'
9·
Ci
LEGEND
several wells do not yield water during summer months. The salinity propagates not
only into the lower reaches of the rivers, but also into the grOlmdwater aquifers of the
thickly populated coastal belt. The estuaries near the industrial areas and thickly
populated towns and cities are facing pollution problems, which becomes all the more
severe by the reduction in summer flows due to various reasons.
The different phases of the hydrologic cycle of this fragile region is altered by
deforestation, water resources development, construction of roads, building and
establishment of large-scale settlements, reclamation of wetlands etc. In order to
manage the water resources of Kerala in a scientific marmer, it is essential to have
certain strategies to manage land, water and biomass in an integrated marmer.
3.2 DRIVING FORCE
38
WATER RESOURCES
Source: Basak.P;1998
In the case of rural water supply, 1609 problem villages were partially covered
by the end of 2001, benefiting a population of 118.4 lakhs. There were 1851 rural
water supply schemes under implementation in the state and 177 schemes including
extensions were completed during 2000 - 01. Still, the estimates show that 17.2% of
the villages in Kerala do not get any benefit of protected water supply and 69% is
only partially covered. In partially covered areas, 14% gets only less than 10 litres per
day 55%gets less than 20 litres per day. District wise details of problem villages covered
I.
and population benefited as on 31. 12.2001 is given in Table 3.3.
39
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005
40
WATER RESOURCES
Palakkad
Mattannur
Kannur
Tirur
Chittur
Kozhikod
Chavakkad
Manjeri 4258635
4050.07
6952.5
..
2902.43
123784
150
140
110
135
68120
22622
48365
20
103
135
67
8072
99.13
70
140
67
61 7.1
45
58
42149
25.87
47
76
28.23
64
Kl1nnamkl1klam
Thrissur
Vadakara
Shornur
Ponnani 21996
105
140
139583
34547
36283
110
30
43.7
80980
253
110
453417
42286
Chalakkudi
137.5
152
Perinthalmanna
125
44504
(2) 80 (3)
81.8
84023
53
66.3
173
43700
51000
53667
58275
27119
50466
30788
125
34898
55680
75670
45
59
38
15
76813
66978
(7)
Thalassery 83
90
118
135
110
81
20
80
87
58727
125
30
74881
(5)
(4)
(6)
Kodl1ngalloor
Kuthl1paramba
Guruvayur
Malappuram
Payyannur
lrinjalakkuda
Thaliparamba
Kanjangad
Kasaragod
Kalpetta
Ottappalam 67
55
789 3777786
40470
65233
64011
69334
28908
20216
74604
419831
51754
45000
49450
103577
123289
19657
32048
72434
37789
49692
22945
45059
27489
31159
39500
39027
57165
50123
37087
(1)
51
41
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005
Table 3.3: District wise details of problem villages covered and population
-
Emakulam
Palakkad
Kozhikod
Kannur
Pathanamthitta
District
Thrissur
ldukki
Kollam
Kasargod
Kottayam
Alappuzha 1203076
418205
581039
470881
712432
802713
1282009
442283
1456654
1022225
1360237
516403
993258
587013
benefi ted
11848428
SI.No Thiruvanathapuram
Malappuram
Wayanad Population 77
95
79
119
247
183
99
68
142
70
100
146
83
101
1609
Partially Covered
In Kerala, monsoon flows contribute to almost 90% of the annual yield, leaving
only about 10%during lean flow period. Only large storage can fill the gap. The storage
capacity of major / medium irrigation projects of Kerala, (Table 3.4 and 3.5) is about
1500MCM. (Fig.3.3) During the past two decades, this figure has been almost constant.
It is estimated that various completed irrigation projects in Kerala together can irrigate
a net area of 1,94,783Ha of land and the ongoing projects when completed can irrigate
a net area of 2,47,834 Ha. Net area irrigated from all sources of irrigation works out to
be 3,81,041 Ha during 2000 - 2001 (Table 3.6). But the net cultivated area in the state
during this period was 22,58,700 Ha which clearly indicates that only 16.87% of the
42
WATER RESOURCES
net cultivated area is under irrigation. Balance area of existing wetland to be irrigated
is about 2.5lakh Ha and that of garden land is about Slakh Ha.
The production of electricity in Kerala falls far short of the actual demand. As
per the 14th National Power Survey, the estimated demand and availability of
electricity in Kerala is given in Table 3.7.
43
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005
Since hydel power being the cheapest, it is best suited and affordable for a state
like Kerala. It is evident that hydel power constitutes only 34% of the available
electricity. TI1einstalled capacity as on December 1999 is given in Table 3.8.
3.3 PRESSURE
The demand for water in Kerala is mainly for domestic use, industrial use,
44
WATER RESOURCES
If.
K} RAI .A
MAJOR/MF;DIl,M IRRIGA1'lOl' PROJELTS
\NO THEIR (;OM.MA~O AREAS
:;CAlL
~'O 01)' .0 ~ 10 10 tC)Ch
••
~.--=--~ ~ ......-
J I,
0'
LEOEID
STATE 10UIDAII.V
IIW\.TEII. 10 Dlee ••
I'II.OJECTCOUI'LETED •
Table 3.6: Net irrigated area (source wise) 2000 - 2001 (Area in Hectares)
21244
112
13424
2470
305
1495
295
923
127
594
190
564
12377
739
39
223
11533-OfiIER
-281 -65
-6379
SOURCES-712
TA:'\KS
CANAL
WELLS
TOTAL --3-7-69 GOVERN-
LIFT - PRIVATE
IRRIGA-
TA~'KS
WELLS
2717
2
11913
11051
2048546
11839
14784
8164
1386
39962
4179
5456
2099
3021
1500
1593
43
8352
21111
3267
1310
82033
15630
85681
6073
15415
6313
4372
2691
40392
704
10896
757
544
9671
701
135
2558
441
179
115031
47979
381041
356
29721
32360
DISTRICT MEJ'T
MEJ'T
114
163
90
205
161
158
78
98
1122
3076
400
21
6
955
528
102842
1993
498 1
4041
887557
1672
13507
43935 5
3 MINOR
48869
6017
2123
1730
862
1741
31
19135
4762
653
599
822
100926
13582 GOVERN-
GOVERN-
PRIVATE
PRIVATE
TION
Kollam
46
WATER RESOURCES
Protected water supply is one of the basic needs of the community. Based on
a per capita consumption of 160 lpcd and a projected population of 5.53 cores in the
year 2021, the annual domestic requirement has been estimated at 3230 Mm3
(Table 3.9).
47
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005
Table 3.9: Basin wise demand in domestic sector in the year 2021
48
WATER RESOURCES
The projected water requirement in the year 2021 in the industrial sector has
been estimated at 4270 Mm3 (Table 3.10).
Table 3.10: Basin wise demand in the industrial sector in the year 2021
BASIN WATER DEMAND (Mm3)
Manjeswar - Uppala 45
Shiriya 45
Mogral- Chandragiri 45
Chi ttari 45
Nileswar - Kariangod 45
Kavvayi - Peruvamba - Ramapuram 45
Kuppam 90
Valapattanam 45
Anjarakkandy 45
Tellicherry 45
Mahe 45
Kuttiyadi 450
Bharathapuzha 45
Keecheri - Puzhakkal 90
Karuvannur 90
Chalakkud y 450
Periyar 400
Muvattupuzha 90
Meenachil 90
Manimala 400
Pamba 45
Achenkoil 400
Pallikkal- Kallada 45
Ithikkara 45
Ayroor - Vamanapuram - Mamom 45
Karamana 45
Neyyar 400
Kabbini 45
Bhavani 20
Pambar 45
49
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPOln, KERALA 2005
A major portion of the electric power being used in Kerala is generated within
the state through hydroelectric stations. The ultimate power potential of the state
from hydroelectric schemes has been estimated at about 1560MW at 100% load factor.
The total identified hydroelectric power potential of Kerala, including that of the
completed small / medium / major projects, is around 5000MW . The live storage
capacity of the reservoirs of the hydroelectric projects owned by Kerala State Electricity
Board is 3536 Mm3. From these reservoirs, the average water utilisation per year is
about 10000 Mm3. This quantity also includes the repeated utilisation of the tailrace.
50
WATER RESOllRCES
51
STATE OF ENVlfWNMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005
ram
The 41 west flowing rivers of Kerala in their lower reaches form an integral
part of the inland navigation of the State (Fig. 3.4). However, these rivers being
monsoon fed, the discharge dwindle down during summer and the length up to which
they are navigable from the outlet come down in non monsoon months. The rivers, in
general, being short and because of the steep fall from the Ghat to the sea, consist of a
large number of rapids and falls and therefore navigable lengths are comparatively
small. The navigable lengths of rivers in Kerala are given in Table 3.12.
52
WATER RESOURCES
" t
KER ,\1 -\
- )
..•
.,, IMAM) i'lA\IGATIO/'Io
SCALI;
)OK_
a
KAANATAKA
\
- -
\
)
v ,,
-, , TAMIL NADU
...... -.
~''''''''''/ 1
,
( l'
J
r"
~
~
t,z
%
- -----,I
~AJAE OF CANALS
""
(f)
.,
.:.LIIAN':, CANAl I {1'\
\
,LATHURKALLAI CA •••• l '"P
'1,1
'ANUA·KUTAYI CANAL
u >'0NNANI CAlNAl J'
••NOLI CANAl
KARUMAOI CANAl ..
)
HAVAAA CANAl
AIKKUNNAPUZHA
JUlLON CANAl
CANAl I J
ARAVUR CANAl
ARKALA CANAl
4NJENGOCANAL
1'> "HANAKKARA CANAl
14_ ~KAI~ j
q
U
W4TF<I BODIES
NAv"iAPlE
LEGEND
NAVIGABLE <lIVlri
,ANAL
UJI r1-a
-
£."'"iCutm~nf 1974
,)
r
!
,
,
9
o
53
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KERALA 2005
54
WATER RESOURCES
76 10 77
'-
....
... \
,
..•.
\.
,
'-,~. \J.AJOR:-' \l'LfUL
,.,FRt\IJ'\
L.\KESA~L> HACKW.UERS
;.,..hokt "
, <:orALE
;XI ••
~
.••....•.
)
~'/ '(ARNATAKA
\ -~- .;
"
.•...•.
.••
'-.\,-
i.,.'" /
'
•• fO", •• '/.1 \'- - .••.,
'"
'---
.. .,
", .•.••."\.'\ AMll NADLJ 'I
J.
,I'
..-',
.j
I'
'"I
~.~I
~
,"~'"
,,.iII'.,I,,, ,~~r..••••
"~t!'f"U
'" •
b::Jn • OJ t-..: ilW
•.., tI(
II tJ
r.- ,
i J)I\.•.
r
••,ty' ~(~ .,
.,.~
••
,f
r u, \r'
~"""~
'\.'-1"
•.........•.
~
I - I -'"
.'
·1
I It N
I..
,-
~]
SOURCE: Water Atlas of Kerala, 1995.
The sprawling backwaters, lakes (Fig. 3.5) and the exclusive natural reservoirs
encircled with abundant greenery invariably find an important place on the tourism
potential of the state. Leisurely cruise in House Boats, floating cottages in the typical
Kerala architectural style - attracts a great number of tourists (Fig. 3.6).
56
WATER RESOLlRCES
Several spectacular boat races take place in the backwaters, which attracts
thousands of spectators including foreign tourists. The most exciting races of different
categories of boats are the Nehru Trophy and the race associated with the Lord
Parthasarathy Temple festival at Aranmula
3.4 STATE
As far as surface water resources are concerned, Kerala is rich with 44 rivers
which together yield 70300 Mm3 of water annually. However the total utilizable yield
is estimated to be 42000 Mm3, only 60% of the annual yield. In the all India perspective,
the rivers of Kerala are not so significant that even the largest of them cannot find a
place among the major Indian rivers. As per the national norm, rivers with drainage
areas of more than 20000 and 2000 Sq.km are called major and medium rivers
respectively. Rivers with drainage area less than 2000 Sq.km are termed as minor
rivers. With this national norm, Kerala does not have a single major river and has
only four medium rivers; the combined discharge of these four rivers is less than half
of that of river Krislma. The remaining 40 rivers are only minor ones; the combined
discharge of all of them together is only about one-third of that of Godavari. Apart
from these, the rivers of Kerala are monsoon fed and fast flowing. Monsoon flows
contribute to almost 90% of the annual yield, leaving only about 10% during lean
flow period. The Western Ghats from where the rivers originate is devoid of snow
and therefore these river systems do not have the benefit of water supplied during
the summer seasons as in north Indian rivers. Located in the high rain fall tropical
region, Kerala experiences two monsoon seasons with an average annual rain fall of
3000 mm. But due to steep and lmdulating topography, rainwater is not much retained
on the land thereby obviating the advantages of having high rain fall to a great extent.
The water potential in the river basins of Kerala is given in Table 3.14.
57
STATE OF ENVIRONMENT REPORT, KEI\ALA 2005
'CWRDM 2002 report on Water Resources of Kerala with reference to Neyyar, Kamvanur and
58