Home / Environment / City's Drains Blocked, Flood Risk Soars
City's Drains Blocked, Flood Risk Soars
26 Jul
Summary
- Natural drainage channels narrowed and covered, worsening city floods.
- Stormwater carrying streams rerouted without scientific assessment.
- Experts urge halt to unscientific works, call for a task force.
Environmental experts have issued a critical warning regarding the extensive narrowing and covering of natural drainage channels that feed the Akkulam-Veli backwaters. These interventions are significantly reducing the capacity of the city's drainage network, exacerbating the risk of flash floods and waterlogging.
Field inspections have revealed that natural streams, which carry stormwater from elevated areas, have been reduced in width, often replaced by concrete box culverts and slabs. Some have been rerouted without adequate hydrological assessment. This alteration of drainage corridors, with nearly 80% of natural floodplains encroached upon, restricts the flow of stormwater into the lake.
The Environmental Protection and Research Council (EPRC) has formally requested the mayor to cease unscientific drainage works and conduct a scientific review. They advocate for a multi-agency task force comprising experts to assess the drainage system and propose corrective measures.
Environmentalists emphasize that development must support, not dismantle, natural drainage systems to build climate resilience. Concerns have also been raised about potential violations of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023, along with increased public health risks.
A senior corporation official stated that the civic body would investigate the findings with its engineering and health departments. Corrective actions will be taken if any work is found to obstruct natural drainage or violate approved norms.
