Govt unveils plan to tackle waterlogging

Thiruvananthapuram: Facing mounting public criticism over severe waterlogging in the state capital following heavy rains, the govt has announced a series of urgent measures and a long-term master plan to address the recurring flooding problem that has disrupted daily life across several parts of the city.

A high-level meeting convened at the secretariat on Tuesday by water resources and housing minister Mons Joseph reviewed the causes behind widespread inundation in areas including East Fort, Thampanoor, Chakka and other low-lying regions. Health minister K Muraleedharan, transport minister C P John, senior bureaucrats and officials from multiple departments also attended the meeting.

The meeting identified several contributing factors. Railway construction near the Pazhavangadi canal has narrowed the waterway, worsening flooding in the Chakka and Pazhavangadi areas. Officials noted that the canal’s original width should have been maintained during construction works. Separately, a retaining wall along the Amayizhanchan canal had been dismantled for desilting and waste-removal operations, and heavy rainfall before it could be rebuilt caused waterlogging in the East Fort region.

Indiscriminate waste dumping into the Amayizhanchan canal and Parvathy Puthanar has severely obstructed water flow, it was noted during the meeting. Difficulties in carrying out timely waste-removal operations worsened the situation further. Officials also cited reduced night-time patrolling by the city corporation during the assembly election period, which allegedly allowed increased garbage dumping into drains and canals.

As immediate measures, ministers directed all departments to implement emergency flood-mitigation works on a war footing. The irrigation department has been instructed to remove waste, silt, tree roots and overgrown vegetation from canals under its jurisdiction to improve water flow. Stricter enforcement against illegal dumping will follow, including seizure of vehicles involved in waste disposal violations. Night patrols by the corporation will resume immediately, and a new project to fence vulnerable canal stretches against dumping will be prepared.

For long-term solutions, the meeting approved a comprehensive master plan involving multiple departments. A monitoring committee headed by the district collector will oversee its implementation, comprising senior officials from the irrigation department, corporation, local self-govt department and KWA. The state govt has also tasked the additional chief secretary of the irrigation department with initiating discussions with railway authorities through the chief secretary to resolve drainage issues linked to ongoing construction activity.

Officials said the recurring flooding stems from decades of unplanned urban development, shrinking natural drainage channels and inadequate coordination among departments. The master plan is expected to address both immediate flood prevention and the long-term modernisation of the capital’s drainage and sanitation infrastructure.