Dindigul, July 28: Kodaikanal, one of Tamil Nadu’s most popular hill stations, is grappling with a severe drinking water crisis. Prolonged dry spells and insufficient rainfall have led to a significant decrease in water availability across the town.
The escalating water shortage is troubling local residents, businesses, and the hospitality sector. Municipal water supply is now reaching many households only once every seven to eight days.
This hill town, home to approximately 46,000 residents across 24 municipal wards, sees a heavy influx of tourists year-round. On average, Kodaikanal attracts about 5,000 to 6,000 visitors daily, with numbers soaring to over 20,000 during weekends and holidays.
The rising demand has put additional pressure on already dwindling water resources. Locals report that whenever the municipality supplies water, they must store it, fearing the next delivery might not arrive for another week. Many commercial establishments have started purchasing private water tankers to meet their daily needs, with each tanker costing around ₹4,000, significantly increasing operational expenses.
Experts attribute the crisis primarily to the drying up of two crucial water sources: Observatory Lake and Keel Gundaru. They note that despite the continuous growth in Kodaikanal’s population and tourism industry over the decades, no major new reservoirs have been constructed since independence.
Additionally, very few homes and commercial buildings have facilities for underground water storage, making it difficult for many to cope with prolonged water shortages.
Hotels and restaurants are also affected, as they require large amounts of water daily. Representatives from the hospitality sector argue that the shortage is a result of reduced rainfall rather than administrative failure. When natural water sources dry up, the municipality has limited options left.
Municipal officials believe that Kodaikanal’s drinking water supply is almost entirely dependent on seasonal rainfall. The rapid decline in water levels and the drying up of Keel Gundaru have severely impacted pumping operations.
As an immediate relief measure, the municipality has dug a deep well near Fairy Falls and plans to excavate four more borewells near Gymkhana Road. Officials hope these measures will alleviate the crisis until the city’s reservoirs are replenished by good monsoon rains.
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
