Community Flood Monitoring System Provides Relief for Residents Along Chalakudy River

Residents living along the Chalakudy River are taking proactive measures to protect their communities from future flooding, following the devastating floods of August 2018 that affected several villages.

In a groundbreaking initiative, communities in the Ernakulam and Thrissur districts have implemented a community-based real-time information system. This system focuses on monitoring weather patterns, recording river water levels, and predicting potential floods, enabling timely evacuations before homes are inundated.

Founded under the Chalakudy River Protection Forum, this grassroots effort involves panchayats such as Pariyaram, Meloor, Karukutti, Parakkadavu, and Puthenvelikkara, as well as the Chalakudy municipality. Together, they have established a vigilant flood monitoring network, prepared to act at the first sign of heavy rains or rising water levels.

The river’s water levels are influenced by releases from multiple dams, with the Peringalkuthu hydroelectric reservoir being the most immediate source. Overflow from upstream dams like Sholayar and Parambikulam further impacts the river’s levels.

Leveraging community knowledge and communication tools, residents, local panchayats, and civil authorities share critical information quickly. This system allows those at risk to evacuate to safety before the situation worsens, according to local representatives.

The groups have also installed eight rain gauges along the Chalakudy River, along with additional gauges in the Puthenvelikkara panchayat, enhancing their ability to predict water level surges.

This community’s monitoring efforts proved essential during recent heavy rainfall on July 29 and 30. Although river levels were stable during the day, they surged dangerously overnight, prompting timely warnings and evacuations to minimize potential flooding impacts.

Such community-led initiatives not only demonstrate effective disaster management practices but also highlight the importance of local vigilance in safeguarding against future natural disasters.