Thiruvananthapuram: Environmental experts have raised alarm over the large-scale narrowing and covering of natural drainage channels feeding the Akkulam–Veli backwaters, warning that the works could worsen flash floods and waterlogging across several parts of the city, even as it continues to grapple with recurring urban flooding after every spell of heavy rain.A field inspection in the downstream regions of the Akkulam–Veli catchment found that several natural streams carrying stormwater from elevated areas, including Ulloor, Sreekaryam, Pongumoodu, Cheruvakkal, Kumarapuram and the Medical College, have been reduced in width, covered with concrete box culverts and slabs, and in some cases rerouted without scientific hydrological assessment.Such interventions are reducing the carrying capacity of the drainage network at a time when the city is witnessing increasingly intense rainfall events, environmentalists said.
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The inspection also found that the Manchadi stream has been converted into a narrow concrete drain now receiving sewage and wastewater from nearby residential and commercial establishments. Nearly 80% of the natural drainage corridors and floodplains in the region have been altered or encroached upon, the findings show, restricting the free flow of stormwater into Akkulam lake and raising the risk of severe flooding downstream.The Environmental Protection and Research Council (EPRC) has submitted a detailed representation to the mayor urging the corporation to immediately halt unscientific drainage works and undertake a scientific review of all ongoing projects in the catchment. It has also sought a multi-agency task force—drawing experts from the water resources department, Disaster Management Authority, Kerala Water Authority and Pollution Control Board—to assess the drainage network and recommend corrective measures.“The city cannot afford another flood disaster caused by avoidable human interventions. Development should strengthen, not destroy, natural drainage systems. Scientific redesign and restoration of these watercourses are essential if Thiruvananthapuram is to become climate-resilient,” environmentalist Sanjeev SJ said.The representation further alleges that the interventions violate provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and the Kerala Public Health Act, 2023, and warns that continued obstruction of natural drains could trigger more frequent flash floods and serious public health risks.A senior corporation official said the civic body would verify the findings with its engineering and health wings. “If any work is found to have obstructed natural drainage or violated approved norms, corrective measures will be initiated,” the official said.
