Kollam: The Kerala Government is looking into the possibilities of regulating the use of river water for agricultural purposes in order to control floods. This is being done since the rivers are overflowing in several regions in the State during the Monsoon season causing floods and other damages. An expert committee, consisting of eight members, has been constituted for this purpose. 

The committee is chaired by Dr E J James, pro-vice-chancellor of Karunya University. James had also served as the executive director of the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management. Despite having several rivers, lakes and ponds in the State, Kerala does not have a proper irrigation network in place. To make things worse, certain regions in Kerala still face water shortage during summer season, even when the State has so many rivers to rely on.

During the Monsoon, it is common for the rivers to overflow, causing widespread loss of lives and properties. The investments in irrigation projects of varied scales have not yielded the desired results so far.        

The new committee has been asked to prepare a list of the existing projects related to river water resources in the State.

Attempts are also being made to save and store a portion of the river waters flowing into the sea so that it can be used during the summer season. Special facilities shall be put in place for this. The committee shall give an estimated budget for the purpose besides giving an idea on how to raise the funds.