Residents of Edavanakad in Kerala block road protesting against flooding due to sea incursion

Residents of Edavanakad in Kerala blockade road in protest of flooding, demanding immediate action from authorities.

Angry at flooding of houses in sea incursion since June 25, more than 300 residents of Edavanakad in Ernakulam district of Kerala are blockading the arterial Vypeen-Munambam road, bringing traffic to a standstill in June 27.

The blockade started around 8 a.m. as the peak hour approached. Hundreds of vehicles have been caught in the blockade, said Sunny M. from Njarakkal who was riding a two-wheeler.

People have vowed not to call off the blockade until the authorities intervened to find a solution to incessant flooding of around 200 houses, said V.K. Iqbal, vice president of the panchayat.

He said the District Collector met the residents on June 26 but did not give any assurance on what actions will be taken immediately to contain the flooding.

Heavy rains and swelling waves have flooded houses for three days and weather authorities have sent our fresh warnings for another three days as Kerala’s coasts will be under the influence of a cyclonic wind and rain formation.

Situation is equally bad in Chellanam panchayat, located south of Edavanakad. Around 300 houses here were flooded in high tide in the village on June 26.

The situation is expected to get worse with the high tide hours approaching, said V.T. Sebastian of Chellanam who is leading a people’s campaign to erect protection wall for the coast.