A crack in the salt exclusion barrier wall near the Poovanpara dam on the Vamanapuram River in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, has raised serious concerns over the safety and quality of freshwater drawn for drinking purposes, particularly as the region heads into the dry summer season. The breach, located close to critical water intake points for municipal supply systems, could allow saline water from the Anchuthengu backwaters to move upstream into stretches of the river that are normally freshwater — potentially compromising water quality for lakhs of residents.
The salt barrier was constructed to prevent seawater intrusion into the tidal Vamanapuram River, especially during high tides and periods of low freshwater flow. Officials warn that the existing crack — first noticed as early as 2019 — might expand further, increasing salinity levels in the river and accelerating riverbank erosion. Both of these outcomes could harm the structural stability of the dam and other intake infrastructure.
Currently, more than 2.5 lakh domestic connections across Chirayinkeezhu and Varkala taluks depend on over 3 crore litres of freshwater daily drawn from this river system. Temporary measures have been employed in previous years — such as heightening the dam with soil bags and tarpaulin sheets — to retain freshwater; however, authorities admit that no definitive repair work has been completed to date due to delays in tendering and contract issues.
Water experts warn that should the crack worsen without a clear repair timeline, the region could face not only increased salinity in drinking water but also longer-term supply disruptions at a time when river flows are naturally reducing ahead of summer. Residents and officials are watching closely, urging faster action to fix the barrier and safeguard water quality before saltwater intrusion makes water from treatment plants harder — and more costly — to process for safe consumption.
News as reported
