Floodwaters Breach New Areas in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta Despite Reduced Rainfall

Despite a slight easing of rainfall on Tuesday, floodwaters advanced into new low-lying areas across Kerala’s Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts. While upper reaches showed signs of recovery, backwater villages and low-lying regions faced severe inundation, forcing thousands into relief camps and disrupting key infrastructure, including power supply and major road routes.

What Happened

Continuous water movement across central Kerala led to fresh evacuations in Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts on Tuesday evening. Although water levels in the Meenachil, Manimala, Pampa, and Achenkovil rivers remained steady and below danger marks, floodwaters expanded into additional low-lying settlements across Upper Kuttanad.

In Kottayam district, backwater villages situated east of the main town experienced heavy waterlogging, affecting localities such as Eranjal, Illikkal, Veloor, Ayamanom, and Kumarakom. Local residents reported that floodwaters reached places that had remained unaffected even during the major 2018 floods. Meanwhile, upper region areas including Pala and Erattupetta gradually started returning to normal. Large-scale evacuations were carried out in eastern Changanassery taluk, and traffic along the Alappuzha-Changanassery Road was disrupted due to the overflow of the AC Canal. Water levels also continued to climb in Valady, Eera, Narakathara, and Neelamperoor.

In Pathanamthitta district, floodwaters receded in parts of Ranni and Kozhencherry taluks. Ranni town began recovery operations, with residents, local administration, and volunteers conducting large-scale cleanups. Conversely, conditions worsened in low-lying areas of Aranmula and Thiruvalla, where rising water levels marooned hundreds of homes and left thousands stranded. Fire and Rescue Services personnel, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), continued operations, rescuing around 220 people on Tuesday alone and bringing total rescues since Saturday to 3,878.

Relief efforts faced logistical hurdles as floodwaters inundated certain relief camps in Upper Kuttanad, such as those in Chathankary, making food delivery difficult. Precautionary power disconnections affected homes and local hospitals in Chathankary and neighboring areas. In Thiruvalla, a migrant worker named Raja Mondal died from electrocution via an inverter current while attempting to vacate his flooded rented quarters.

Key Highlights

• Relief Camps: Kottayam established 141 camps accommodating 6,848 people, while Pathanamthitta opened 146 camps housing 7,168 residents as of Tuesday evening.
• Rescue Efforts: Authorities have rescued 3,878 people since Saturday, with NDRF and Fire and Rescue personnel assisting stranded families on upper floors.
• Traffic Disruption: An overflowing AC Canal disrupted Alappuzha-Changanassery Road traffic, while flooding at Thirumoolapuram caused severe congestion on MC Road.
• Power Disconnections: Precautionary electricity cuts impacted hospitals and households in flood-hit pockets.
• Casualty Reported: Raja Mondal, a migrant worker, was electrocuted during an evacuation in Thiruvalla.

Why This Matters

The accumulation of floodwaters in low-lying areas like Upper Kuttanad highlights how receding rain in higher stretches does not immediately relieve downstream regions. Inundation in locations previously spared during the 2018 floods demonstrates the severe reach of current water levels. Additionally, precautionary electricity shutoffs and flooded relief camps directly hamper basic healthcare facilities and food distribution efforts.

What to Watch Next

Rescue teams from the NDRF and Fire and Rescue Services will continue evacuation efforts for residents who remain marooned in inundated areas. Local bodies and volunteers are carrying out cleaning operations in locations where waters have receded, while officials work to deliver essential supplies to affected relief camps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are currently staying in relief camps?

As of Tuesday evening, 6,848 people were sheltered across 141 camps in Kottayam district, and 7,168 people were housed in 146 camps in Pathanamthitta district.

Which areas experienced worsening flood conditions?

Conditions deteriorated in low-lying areas of Aranmula, Thiruvalla, and backwater villages in Upper Kuttanad, including Eranjal, Illikkal, Veloor, Ayamanom, Kumarakom, Chathankary, Valady, Eera, Narakathara, and Neelamperoor.

Which transport routes were affected by the flooding?

Traffic on the Alappuzha-Changanassery Road was disrupted by an overflowing AC Canal, and severe traffic congestion was reported on MC Road due to flooding at Thirumoolapuram.

Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.