Nilgiris Monsoon Shortfall Raises Water Supply Concerns in Coonoor

A significant shortfall in southwest monsoon rains in the Nilgiris district has left the Ralliah Dam, Coonoor's primary water source, nearly dry over the past week. This has sparked concerns among residents about potential water scarcity in the coming months.

According to sources in the Horticulture Department, rainfall around Udhagamandalam has been over 55 per cent below normal this season. Officials, however, maintain that there is no immediate crisis for Udhagamandalam town, citing steady rains in the catchment areas of the district's major dams that supply water to the town.

The situation for Coonoor is less reassuring. Sharan Deep Singh, a resident of Bettatti near Coonoor and an activist involved in protecting local waterbodies, expressed concern about the upcoming months. Speaking to The Hindu, he said, "We have rarely seen water levels this low at the Ralliah Dam." He added that the lack of rain is also depleting underground aquifers, which could have longer-term implications for the region.

S. Manogaran, president of the Coonoor Consumer Protection Association, attributed the current situation to a lack of preparedness by local bodies. He urged the municipality to desilt the dam to improve storage capacity and to remove invasive species like eucalyptus trees planted around the waterbody, which are known to have high water demands.

Local activists have also called for studies to assess the carrying capacity of Coonoor town, which has seen a real-estate boom over the past five years. A conservationist from the Nilgiris noted, "The dam was built to cater to a town with a fraction of its current population. Over the past few decades, intensive agriculture and a boom in construction of private resorts and residential buildings have put a strain on the town's finite water resources. The local body must undertake studies to understand the town's carrying capacity and plan infrastructure accordingly."

Officials from the Coonoor Municipality responded by stating that water is being supplied to residents once every seven to ten days. An official said, "Although there is no water in Ralliah Dam for supply to local residents, the Combined Water Supply Scheme in Emerald ensures that there is enough water at the moment to fulfil local demand."

The situation underscores the vulnerability of hill towns in the Nilgiris to rainfall variability and the need for sustainable water management practices. While immediate measures may avert a crisis, long-term planning and conservation efforts are essential to address the growing pressure on water resources in the region.