The Periyar changes colour, yet again

The river turned red near the regulator-cum-bridge at Pathalam

The discolouration of the Periyar continues unabated. Two weeks after a long stretch of oil patch triggered fears among local residents, the river turned red near the regulator-cum-bridge at Pathalam on Monday. Officials of the Environment Surveillance Centre in Eloor collected samples from the spot, and the results are expected by Wednesday. The officials suspect that the change in colour could have occurred after the Irrigation Department opened the shutters of the bund. “Despite repeated pleas, the department has not alerted us before opening the shutters. This could help in collecting samples without delay,” they said.