Civic bodies intensify pre-monsoon drive ahead of southwest monsoon

Kochi: With the southwest monsoon expected to arrive within a week, municipalities across Kochi have stepped up pre-monsoon preparedness measures, including desilting canals, clearing clogged drains, removing waste from water channels and strengthening flood mitigation efforts in waterlogging-prone areas.In Thrikkakara municipality, large-scale cleaning of streams and canals is already under way. Municipality chairperson Rashid Ullampallil said contracts have been awarded for canal cleaning works across the municipality. "We have also given contingency contracts to individuals for mosquito eradication and disease prevention activities. An amount of Rs 50,000 was allocated for each ward for sanitation work, including bleaching activities," he said. He added that the cleaning of major canals, including Kalachal thodu near Kadambrayar River and Edappally thodu, is in its final stage. The municipality expects to complete all pre-monsoon work before the onset of the monsoon season. Meanwhile, Kalamassery municipality has initiated ward-level flood mitigation plans ahead of the rains. However, municipal authorities said clogged canals caused by infrastructure works have emerged as a major concern. Municipality chairperson Jamal Manakkadan said the construction of footpaths by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), over certain canals has affected water flow in some parts of the municipality. "When the canals were replaced with footpaths by KMRL, it resulted in waterlogging in several areas. The issue will be discussed with the authorities concerned and urgent solutions will be worked out," he said. In Eloor municipality, the council meeting held last week decided to prioritise the cleaning and renovation of choked canals, drains and streams in areas that experienced severe flooding during previous monsoons. Municipal officials said Rs 10 lakh has been allocated for stream maintenance works, while another Rs 10 lakh has been sanctioned for renovation and cleaning of canals across all wards. Among the canals identified for renovation is Asraya thodu along the boundary of Wards 3 and 4, stretching around 1,005m. The works include removal of water hyacinth and waste from the canal, along with trimming tree branches protruding from the canal banks.