The Meenachil River, which had breached its banks and inundated several areas in the eastern part of Kottayam district during the heavy rains, has now been reduced to a stream showing sand-bars at several spots.
Local people say the river is virtually becoming a drain to carry away rainwater and that its condition is pathetic.
During heavy rains, Meenachil River had surged up to the level of many bridges and even flowed over many others. But, at present, the river has water only to a depth of barely two feet at several places.
It is deep only at spots where sand was removed earlier. The river can be crossed on foot at most areas and people as well as environmentalists are concerned over what its condition would be during the coming summer.
The sources of the Meenachil River are the springs in the eastern hills which get replenished during the monsoon. Several tiny rivulets originating from the springs merge and form the river.
With the upper stretches of the river no longer covered with forests or other natural water-retaining facilities, the river has lost its vigour now. Moreover, the fields in the midlands have been filled up and the farming methods have changed. This too has made the land no longer capable of holding water.
All these have resulted in almost all the rainwater flowing away and wasted. Flooding during the rainy season and drought in summer have become common phenomena in the area. In the time of the floods, most of the top soil is also swept away.
People are demanding urgent measures to rejuvenate Meenachil river, including stern action to prevent pollution of the river and crackdown on sand-mining.
Unless these steps are taken, it is feared that Meenanachil river may literally turn into a drain to carry away rainwater during the monsoon and a place to dump garbage during summer.