For the third consecutive day, Ernakulam district has been battered by heavy rain and strong winds, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. As of Wednesday, 73 houses have been affected, with two completely destroyed and 71 partially damaged. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the district, warning that heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue in isolated areas until July 21.
Aluva and Paravur Hit Hard
In Aluva taluk, six houses sustained partial damage. Parakadavu village saw crops like nutmeg, rubber, coconut, and plantains destroyed by the fierce winds. Additionally, waterlogging was reported in several areas of Kochi city on Wednesday morning. Despite the water level in Periyar subsiding, the IMD’s orange alert signals more potential trouble ahead.
The relief camp at Kuttikkattukara Govt UPS in Paravur taluk, which had been home to 54 people, was closed on Wednesday evening as the water receded, allowing residents to return to their homes. In another setback, the Manikandanchal bridge, a crucial link connecting the tribal areas of the Kutampuzha forest to the outside world, was submerged on Tuesday but became passable again as water levels dropped.
Widespread Damage Across the District
The heavy rains and winds have disrupted electricity supply, with fallen tree branches damaging power lines and electric posts. In Kothamangalam taluk, three houses were partially damaged, while uprooted trees fell on the homes of Parapuram Joy and Edamana Raju. Kunnathunad taluk saw 16 houses partially damaged, and Paravur taluk had 14 affected homes.
In Kanayannur taluk, 13 houses were partially damaged, and the same number was reported in Muvattupuzha. Kochi taluk witnessed damage to two houses in Kumabalangi, and an old two-storied house on leased land in Mattancherry was also impacted by the rain.
Tribal Communities in Distress
Around 80 tribal families in the Panthapra settlement in Kuttampuzha panchayat have been severely affected. Strong winds uprooted trees, damaged huts, and snapped power lines, although the huts themselves do not have power connections. The streetlights, crucial for spotting wild elephants, were also affected as some huts lost their tarpaulin roofing in the winds.
“As many as five trees were uprooted in the wind on Tuesday, and one fell on a hut. Thankfully, the residents escaped unhurt. However, a rogue elephant has been roaming the area for the past couple of days, causing concern since there is no power connection in the area. Forest watchers arrived on Tuesday night to drive away the elephant, but it may return at any time,” said Kannan Kani, a leader of the tribal community.
Looking Ahead
The IMD’s forecast suggests that Ernakulam district needs to brace for more heavy rainfall. The community remains vigilant, hoping for a respite from the relentless weather and a swift recovery from the damage already inflicted.
Nisham Ismail 
Rekha Nair