Paravur: Life has come to a standstill for residents of Malyankara, Chettikkad, Kottuvallikkad and Moothakunnam as drinking water has failed to reach these areas for four consecutive days, pushing families into severe hardship.

Although the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) had earlier informed residents that the water supply would be disrupted for a day, the supply has not been fully restored since then. While water began reaching parts of Moothakunnam and Kottuvallikkad in a trickle by Tuesday evening, pressure remained inadequate. In Malyankara, there has been no supply at all.

A similar disruption had occurred last month, when water distribution to these areas was affected for over a week. Repeated interruptions have forced residents to source potable water from outside for cooking and other basic needs.

Compounding the crisis, the region is prone to saline intrusion, rendering water from local wells unfit for consumption.

Public anger is mounting over the back to back disruptions in water supply. Despite protests being staged on several occasions and memorandums submitted to the authorities concerned, a permanent solution remains elusive.

The repeated disruption of power supply at the pumping station has been cited as one of the main reasons for the interruption in water distribution. Even when pumping resumes from Paravur after a shutdown, it takes considerable time for water to reach these localities in sufficient volumes, which are located around 12 kilometres away.

Residents have now warned that they will stage a protest in front of the KWA office if there is any further delay in restoring regular water supply.