Barring Kunnumpuram and parts of Cheranalloor, Kochi city remained relatively unaffected by the release of water from Idamalayar dam.
As many as nine houses in Kunnumpuram division of Kochi Corporation in Edappally area were flooded by 2 p.m. as water released from the dam reached the area. The nearly 40 residents of the houses were shifted to the nearby Edappally North High School. The houses were located on the banks of Thukalankuthiyathodu.
Revenue officials, who reached the area early on the day, had alerted the residents about the possible inundation and stressed the need to move to safe shelters. The residents moved their valuables and furniture to the homes of friends and relatives and shifted cattle to safe places.
Floodwater, which entered the homes, gradually reached knee level in three hours. It continued to rise throughout the day, said M.P. Maheshkumar, a former councillor who represented the area in the Kochi Corporation. “The residents are worried that the water released from Idukki dam would worsen the situation,” he said.
Civic administrators, including Mayor Soumini Jain, Welfare Standing Committee chairperson A. B. Sabu, Health Standing Committee chairperson V.K. Minimol, and division councillor Jagathambika, visited the area and coordinated the relief measures. Hibi Eden, MLA, also visited the area.
The inmates of the camp were provided food and blankets. Water level could rise further with the opening of more dam shutters, Ms. Jain said.
The authorities were instructed to open more relief camps if required. The inundated houses, which are located in a low-lying area, had been hit during the peak monsoon season too, she said.
Navigation along the roads in the area has become a risky affair. One cannot differentiate between road and other areas as water has spread over them.
In Cheranalloor panchayat, Godown Road, Njattuveti Road, Kavathiyad, Valam and the areas near Muttar and Idakunnam rivers were flooded
