Thiruvananthapuram: Residents await rains, not floods

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dwellers of flood-prone areas in the city are waiting with baited breath as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted around 13 per cent more rain  during this  monsoon. A 128-mm pre- monsoon showers had caused floods that left many areas marooned on May 20. While the corporation claimed to have cleaned all its drains, most factors that led to the flood still remain unchanged.

“Two-three families from Madhumukku, Kadakampally, had left their houses as the monsoon is  expected in two days. Since small kids are there in these houses, the families are afraid that midnight rain could bring a tragedy. The NH bypass work had led to severe flooding last month. We are doing our bit to clean all the drains to minimise damage,” said Kadakampally councillor Shobharani Krishna.

A particular canal named Koodu thodu remains levelled in the ward. Also many pipes across NH bypass that used to take storm water out to  Parvathi Puthanar  are non-existent. Almost every low-lying area  around Anamukham ward also went under water. Hence, culvert cleaning was intensified around Poonthi road to minimise the intensity of flood here.

Elsewhere at Kamaleswaram, a culvert construction on NH bypass that was previously obstructing Kariyilthodu was completed. While the corporation has done the maximum work to avert flood at Thekkumoodu bund colony in Kunnukuzhy,   sources say that  long-term projects  are needed to avoid flooding.