Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine has said steps have been adopted to expedite flood control measures through the Alappuzha-Changanassery (AC) Canal development project that is under way.
The first phase, which stretches from Manakkachira to Onamkara, has already been completed under the first Kuttanad package. The second and third phases will further extend the canal, from Onamkara to Nedumudy and from Nedumudy to Pallathuruthy. Efforts are also being made to clear encroachments and widen the canal to increase its capacity.
The Minister was responding to a calling attention motion raised by Kuttanad MLA, Thomas K. Thomas, who urged steps to renovate the AC canal and its associated canals, and to purify water bodies including the Vembanad lake.
Mr. Augustine said the second phase of the AC Canal is expected to play a significant role in controlling the water flow during heavy rainfall and help prevent floods in the Kuttanad region. However, certain limitations in the current design of the canal could hinder its full potential for flood management. As a solution, the government is committed to deepening and widening the canal in certain sections, particularly from Onamkara to Nedumudy in order to ensure greater water storage and flood control.
He added that the government has adopted various steps to address the degradation of the Vembanad lake, which serves as a flood buffer and water reservoir for the region. The accumulation of sludge, silt and hyacinth, particularly after the 2018 floods, has reduced the lake’s ability to manage seasonal flooding. In order to address the problem, the government has launched a major initiative to remove approximately 50 lakh cubic metres of sludge and silt from the lake and its adjoining canals.
This will not only improve the lake’s capacity to handle excess water, but will also boost fish production.
Published – March 20, 2025 08:00 pm IST
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