The watermarks on the shabby, cracked wall of the house of Radhamani, 75, at Meenappally in Alappuzha’s Kainakary grama panchayat bear testimony to the ravages of recurring floods and bund breaches.
The partially flooded house, infested by water hyacinth, is situated on the muddy edge of the waterlogged Meenappally paddy polder. A country boat is always on standby in the front yard to ferry the family members and visitors between the house and the towpath of a canal in the front. Most importantly, it helps the family shift to safer places during flood emergencies.
“We have not seen our house premises remain dry for a single day in the past four years. The place is experiencing flooding even during the summer months,” laments Jijimon, son of Radhamani, referring to the heavy downpour that led to the inundation of the region a couple of weeks ago.
