Kochi faced severe flooding on Wednesday evening as intense summer rains inundated the city within a few hours, highlighting significant infrastructure vulnerabilities. The downpour, which began around 5 pm and continued into the night, placed the district on high alert and tragically resulted in the loss of one life.
Prominent areas such as M G Road, Infopark, High Court Junction, BTH, Police Club, Judges Avenue, Kaloor, Panampilly Nagar, KSRTC depot, Lal Salam Road, Edapally, Palarivattom, and Petta were severely affected by the heavy rains. The deluge caused extensive waterlogging, creating traffic snarls and disrupting daily activities. Shops reported significant water damage, and residents struggled to protect their belongings as floodwaters entered homes.
The fatality reported was Sarason (64) from Puthotta, who is suspected to have died due to a lightning strike. The Keerampara area bore the brunt of the rainfall, receiving the highest recorded rainfall of 10 cm between 8:30 am and 7:30 pm on Wednesday. The situation was exacerbated by damaged slabs on footpaths, making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate the flooded streets. Several pedestrians trapped by the rising waters were rescued by passersby. This recent bout of pre-monsoon showers has once again underscored the city’s lack of preparedness and the inadequacy of canal cleaning efforts. Criticism has been levelled at the corporation for its insufficient pre-monsoon cleaning measures. Opposition councillors were quick to seize the opportunity to highlight these shortcomings. “The waterlogging experienced in the city has exposed the baselessness of the corporation mayor’s claim that 80% of pre-monsoon cleaning works have been completed,” remarked opposition leader Antony Kureethara.
The flooding and resultant chaos bring to light the pressing need for improved infrastructure and more effective urban planning in Kochi. With the monsoon season approaching, the city must address these critical vulnerabilities to prevent further disruptions and safeguard its residents. This event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust infrastructure and proactive measures in mitigating the impacts of extreme weather conditions.
As Kochi continues to grow and develop, it is imperative that urban planners and city officials prioritise sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects. Enhanced drainage systems, regular maintenance of canals, and comprehensive pre-monsoon preparations are essential to fortify the city against future weather-related challenges. The recent flooding serves as a wake-up call, urging immediate and sustained action to protect Kochi’s inhabitants and ensure the city’s long-term resilience.
“Seeing the rain continuing into the evening, we moved materials from the ground floor to the upper floor. We did not receive any customers in the evening due to the rain and the water entering our shops,” said Sameer, a shopkeeper at MG Road. Anjana, Panampilly Nagar councillor, said if the authorities had deepened the T P Canal and thoroughly cleaned it by removing encroachments, the flooding situation could have been averted. Manoj Panakkal, secretary of the Ernakulam Merchants Chamber, said 70% of the problems contributing to waterlogging in Kochi could be resolved if the railways cleared their culverts from Vaduthala to Thevara. “Operation Breakthrough is a commendable project, and many works are being carried out effectively. Nevertheless, the railway’s indifference towards cleaning its drains exacerbates waterlogging,” he said.
