The onslaught of drought and the alleged shortage of pumping time have put the residents of Fort Kochi in dire straits with the area reeling under acute water shortage for the past few weeks.

The situation has worsened during the past few days, said Fort Kochi councillor Antony Kureethara, who presented the issue at the Corporation Council.
The irregularity in pumping time was the reason behind the acute water shortage in areas like Chirattapalam, Pattalam and Kunnumpuram, the councillor said. “Currently, water is only being pumped for one-and-a-half hours each in the morning and evening. Most of the time, sufficient water is not pumped, thanks to load shedding. Despite frequent reminders to the Kerala Water Authority officials, the situation remains unsolved,” he said.