News Desk: The Kerala government will take time-bound measures to address recurring floods in the Vembanad Lake region, Chief Minister V D Satheesan told the state Assembly on Wednesday. The government plans to formulate a comprehensive project to improve the lake's condition and protect nearby areas from flooding during the monsoon.
Satheesan was responding to a question from Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who asked whether the government would prepare a detailed plan in consultation with other ministers to address the recurring problem.
The Speaker pointed out that Vembanad Lake receives water from five rivers but lacks sufficient capacity to hold the inflow during heavy rainfall. As a result, the lake overflows, leaving surrounding areas severely inundated because the excess water has limited routes to flow out.
The Chief Minister said the problem affects several districts across south-central Kerala, including Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, as well as parts of Ernakulam district. He explained that inadequate drainage from the lake into the sea causes water to accumulate in several locations, worsening the flooding situation.
The Kuttanad and Upper Kuttanad regions have been particularly affected. Repeated floods have damaged agricultural land, affected livelihoods and forced some residents to consider leaving their homes.
Describing the situation as a serious environmental issue, Satheesan assured the Assembly that the government would treat it as a priority. He said discussions would be held to develop a well-planned, long-term project focusing on the renovation of Vembanad Lake and measures to protect surrounding communities from seasonal flooding.
The Chief Minister also promised that the proposed measures would be implemented within a defined timeframe.
Meanwhile, Revenue Minister A P Anilkumar and Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph informed the Assembly that the government was preparing to undertake sand removal from rivers and lakes across the state. The process is expected to begin by December 2026 or January 2027, Anilkumar said.
The ministers explained that sediment removal from riverbeds had not been carried out for several years. The accumulation of sediment has reduced the water-carrying capacity of rivers, increasing the risk of overflowing during heavy rainfall.
Several legislators had raised questions about flooding in their constituencies and the steps being considered to prevent rivers from overflowing during the rainy season.
The proposed measures are expected to form part of broader efforts to improve water flow, restore the capacity of waterways and reduce the impact of recurring floods. However, the government is yet to announce the full details of the Vembanad Lake project, including its budget, specific infrastructure measures and implementation schedule.
The announcement signals a renewed focus on a long-standing environmental challenge affecting communities, agriculture and livelihoods across parts of Kerala.
Reader Comments 0