Waterlogging returns as rain lashes Kochi
The downpour began on Friday and intensified on Saturday, accompanied by strong winds, inundating major city roads and low-lying areas. Murky water entered homes and shops, affecting business operations and residents.
Several key areas, including Edappally Toll, Ernakulam North and South, Panampilly Nagar, Vennala, Kathrikadavu, Padma and KSRTC depot, were affected. Shopkeepers at MG Road at the heart of the city had to drain out water from their premises following intense showers.
"This is the worst waterlogging we've seen this monsoon. We had hoped that canal rejuvenation under Operation Breakthrough and drain cleaning would prevent this. But Saturday's high tide and rains proved otherwise," said Manoj Panakkal, a trader at Padma Junction.
Opposition councillors criticized the city administration, calling the situation an example of poor planning. "Despite allocating Rs 10 crore for flood mitigation projects, key works like dredging of the Thevara–Perandoor canal remain incomplete even during the monsoon," said Antony Kureethara, opposition leader in the corporation.
MG Aristotle, UDF parliamentary party secretary, added that canal rehabilitation projects have made no headway.
"It remains only on paper, with not a single cent of land acquired or encroachments cleared, highlighting administrative inefficiency."
Mayor M Anilkumar attributed the flooding to continuous, intense rainfall coinciding with a high tide. "Intermittent rain turned into a downpour lasting 2–3 hours.
Our water pump also developed a technical issue and couldn't be used to dewater key areas," he said.
Rural Ernakulam also faced heavy rains. A relief camp was opened in North Paravur taluk after waterlogging in Kizhakkumpuram, Chendamangalam panchayat. On Saturday, 10 more houses were damaged; nine were reported damaged on Friday. Strong winds uprooted trees across the district, including one that fell on a parked bus in Thoppumpady — no injuries were reported.
By evening, the Muvattupuzha river crossed warning levels. Authorities issued alerts for potential landslides, mudslips and uprooting of trees. Travel at night was banned in hilly areas. Coastal regions like Chellanam also suffered as sea surges flooded roads in Kannamali, Cherya Kadavu Company Padi and nearby areas. "The situation may worsen. Authorities must act promptly," warned VT Sebastian, Convenor of the Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum.
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