Floodwaters Surge Across Central Travancore, Displacing Hundreds

Floodwaters surged across central Travancore, displacing hundreds and inundating homes and farmlands as major rivers breached their banks. The Meenachil, Pampa, Achankovil, and Manimala rivers overflowed, submerging low-lying areas in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. Despite a temporary lull in rainfall, the situation remains critical with ongoing evacuations and heightened flood alerts.

The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for multiple districts, including Idukki, Kannur, and Kasaragod, while orange alerts are in effect for several others. Heavy rainfall, driven by strong westerly winds in the lower troposphere, is forecasted to continue, exacerbating the flood situation. The National Centre for Ocean Information Services has also warned of high waves and potential sea surges along the Kerala coast, placing coastal regions under a red alert.

In Kottayam, the Meenachil River has overflowed its banks, leading to significant flooding in towns such as Erattupetta and Poonjar. Residents have reported water entering homes and farmlands, causing extensive damage. Similar conditions prevail in Pathanamthitta, where the Pampa and Achankovil rivers have inundated surrounding areas, prompting authorities to issue orange alerts and advise residents to remain vigilant.

Relief efforts are underway across the affected districts. In Thiruvananthapuram, 144 homes have been damaged, with six completely destroyed. Two relief camps have been established, and 11 residents have been relocated from flood-affected zones. The district administration has initiated several precautionary measures, including the appointment of nodal officers and the opening of control rooms at various levels. Drains have been cleared, hazardous trees trimmed, and residents near rivers and dams alerted about potential risks.

The heavy rains have also caused significant disruptions to infrastructure. In Ernakulam, 216 houses have been damaged due to torrential monsoon rains. Train services have been affected, with some, including the Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express, being diverted due to fallen trees on the tracks. Roads in several districts are submerged, and landslides have been reported in hilly areas, leading to traffic disruptions and posing risks to residents.

The state government has opened 66 relief camps, accommodating nearly 1,900 people. Authorities have prepared around 4,000 camps to accommodate up to six lakh people if necessary. Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to move to these camps promptly to ensure their safety.

Agricultural activities have suffered heavily due to the floods. In Alappuzha, 390 homes have been damaged, and power infrastructure has been impacted. Farmlands are submerged, leading to concerns over crop losses and food security in the region. The continuous rainfall and flooding have also raised fears of waterborne diseases, prompting health authorities to remain on high alert. Open URL