Flood mitigation in city: 15 works completed in 2 phases

Thiruvananthapuram: While the city corporation plans to seek the assistance of IIT Roorkee to conduct a scientific study into the causes of urban flooding, data obtained through an RTI from the irrigation department reveals that fifteen flood mitigation projects, amounting to Rs 6.2 crore, have already been completed in the city.
Five works, planned in the first phase of flood mitigation project, included emergency jungle clearance and removal of delta in Karamana river (between Kundamankadavu bridge and Poonthura estuary), cleaning of open portion of Thekkanakkara canal from West Fort to Parvathy Puthanar confluence point, cleaning of Pazhavangadi thodu, emergency jungle clearance and removal of delta in Killi river between Vazhayila bridge and Pallthukadavu bridge and cleaning of Ulloor thodu towards upstream side of bridge.
As many as 10 works were completed under phase 2. These included side protection work for right bank of Karamana river upstream of Pappanamcode iron bridge near Chullamukku, construction of protection wall on the left bank of Karamana river along Azhankal bund downstream of Kaladi check dam, side protection wall on the left bank of Karamana river downstream of Kundamankadavu check dam, protection works on the left bank of Killi river from downstream of Thozhuvancode bridge Reach 1, protection works to the left bank of Killi river from downstream of Thozhuvancode bridge Reach 2 and Reach 3, side protection to left bank of Killi river upstream of Mannamoola bridge, protection works of Pazhavangadi, side protection on the left bank of Killi river near Cherupalode third reach and side protection of Killi river from Thengakoodu.
Meanwhile, in the letter sent to Uttam Kumar Roy, associate professor, department of architecture and planning, IIT Roorkee , the civic body had pointed out that the emerging climate change scenario and the associated weather related hazards were increasing at an alarming rate in the city. During the last quarter of 2023, city experienced torrential rainfall resulting in inundation of low lying areas causing much hardship to traders and residents. In the last 10 days, the city received 215mm and 147mm of rainfall in a short span of 2-3 hours which caused overflow of canals and stormwater intrusion into the residential areas and business complexes creating havoc in the city, the letter said.
The corporation has requested for a research proposal and noted that an MoU shall be signed between IIT Roorkee and Trivandrum corporation.