Heavy Rain Triggers Flooding Across Alappuzha; Coastal Erosion Worsens in Arattupuzha

Alappuzha: Heavy rainfall has caused severe rain-related damage in several parts of Alappuzha. Water has begun entering the Upper Kuttanad region as the inflow of water from the eastern areas has increased. Rising water levels in the Pamba and Manimala rivers have led to flooding in low-lying areas.

Residents in several parts of Upper Kuttanad, including Thalavady, Edathua, Veeyapuram and Muttar, are concerned about the worsening situation. Families in the Kuthirachal–Kunnummadi areas of Thalavady are moving to safer locations after water began entering the region.

Residents have demanded that authorities immediately set up relief camps and make the necessary rescue arrangements. Water levels have also begun rising in Kuttanad, raising fears of a repeat of the devastating 2018 floods. The inflow of water from the eastern regions is expected to decrease only if rainfall subsides in Pathanamthitta district.

Water has entered the Muttar East–Mithrakkari roads. The Thiruvalla–Ambalappuzha Road has been inundated in the Nedumpram area. The surroundings of the Chakkulathukavu Temple have also been submerged. Kuttanad residents are hoping that the muddy floodwaters flowing in from the east will drain into the sea through the Thottappally Spillway.

Meanwhile, coastal erosion, which began along the Arattupuzha coast on Saturday morning, intensified by noon. Massive waves battered the coastal stretches from Azhikodan Nagar, Perumpally, Nallaanikkal and Kallikkad to the areas north of AC Pally, as well as the coastal belt from MES to Mangalam Kurichikkal.

Seawater entered houses, while homes located west of the coastal road were completely submerged. Seawater and sand also flowed into houses on the eastern side of the road.

The compound walls of the houses belonging to Salahuddin of Shan Manzil and Ummarkutty of Mappilassery were damaged by the sea surge. Traffic along the coastal road was disrupted after sand and debris accumulated near MES Junction and the Karthika Junction area. Buses arriving from the north terminated their services at Thrikkunnappuzha, while buses from the south ended their services at the Arattupuzha bus stand before returning.

The Perumpally area, where the seawall has weakened, faces a major threat. Four houses are at risk of being washed away by the sea at any moment. The geobag seawall has been damaged.

North of Jankar Junction, waves are directly crashing onto the Thrikkunnappuzha–Valiyazheekkal coastal road, which has begun to sustain damage. If the destruction worsens, traffic along the coastal road could come to a complete halt.