Eloor municipality launches pre-monsoon drive to prevent flooding

Kochi: With monsoon season approaching, Eloor municipal council on Tuesday initiated a series of pre-monsoon preparedness measures aimed at reducing flooding and waterlogging in vulnerable areas across the municipality.The council decided to prioritise the cleaning and renovation of choked canals, drains and streams in areas that witnessed severe flooding during previous monsoons. According to municipal officials, Rs 10 lakh was allocated for stream maintenance, while another Rs 10 lakh was sanctioned for the renovation and cleaning of canals across all wards in the municipality. Officials said contracts will also be arranged for clearing overgrown grass and vegetation obstructing water flow in public premises in Eloor. An additional Rs 2 lakh has been allocated for this. Among the canals identified for renovation is Asraya Thodu, flowing along the boundary of Wards 3 and 4, with a total length of around 1,005m. The work includes removal of water hyacinth and other waste from the canal, along with cutting tree branches protruding from the banks. In addition, the municipality decided to strengthen waste collection activities through Haritha Karma Sena workers to ensure timely removal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Several low-lying areas under the municipality experienced severe waterlogging during last year's monsoon season, forcing many families to shift to relief camps arranged by the local body. A senior health official of the municipality said councillors from all 31 wards have already submitted details of drains and streams requiring urgent attention. "The municipality will begin the work this week and ensure that all pre-monsoon activities are completed in a time-bound manner before May 25," the official said.