Flood-free Thampanoor surprises many in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: A curious fact emerged during the rains that hit the city this monsoon - Thampanoor never got flooded. The absence of flood at a spot notorious for getting water-logged even with a light rain left the public bewildered.
"I happened to pass by Thampanoor just after the rains the other day. There was no flood, though I had prepared myself to go through one. It was odd," says Benoz Badushah, a marketing executive. Even Mayor V.K. Prasanth was cautious in his reply.

"It's true there was no water-logging at Thampanoor this time. However, it should be noted that there hasn't been heavy rainfall so far," he said. He credited the pre-monsoon cleaning activities carried out by the corporation and Operation Anantha for the absence of water- logging. "We had cleaned the various canals and culverts in the city before the rains arrived, especially the Amayazhinjan Thodu. That and Operation Anantha ensured that the rain water got drained off," he said. Operation Anantha was initiated two years ago envisioning a flood-free city by cleaning out canals and clearing encroachments. It was stopped mid-way last year, depriving the city of its full results.

Thampanoor councillor M.V. Jayalekshmi said: "It is a relief that water doesn't get accumulated at Thampanoor anymore. However, it continues at SS Kovil road. The culvert meant to drain the water there doesn't reach anywhere. Its path is currently blocked by the shops that are built on encroached land. Hopefully, something would be done about it." As for the public, though most are too sceptical to say it loud, slowly they are getting accustomed to a Thampanoor that doesn't get flooded with the slightest rain.