01.07.19 - Kuttanad under water

Kuttanad under water

Since the floods in August 2018, Kuttanad has been suffering from a mixture of rubbish, polluted river water and carcasses. The floods have contaminated drinking water pipes and spread disease. Access to rural areas is difficult and many elderly people are isolated in their homes. A planned protective wall to prevent flooding was never realised due to political differences. Despite promises, the poorest people in the region remained unprotected.

Many houses are under water

Kuttanad is an area in the south Indian state of Kerala, in the famous backwaters south of Lake Vembanad in the district of Alappuzha. About half of the 1157 km² area is the only region in India that lies below sea level. The lowest point at 2.20 metres below sea level is therefore also the lowest point in India. Kuttanad is the granary of Kerala. Rice is grown in the fertile landscape, where almost 2 million people live.

Locked in the house for weeks...

Project completed with great success

Despite numerous challenges, we were able to help the community sustainably with comparatively little effort. Our measures have not only provided short-term support, but have also brought about long-term improvements in the quality of life. Thanks to close cooperation with local partners and the active involvement of residents, we were able to create effective and lasting solutions

1. construction of two small dams

Most of the houses already have stable water barriers, but only two specific ones allow the water to enter. At these points, the village community builds a small, approximately 2 metre wide dam made of stones and clay (marked in red in the diagram). The dams have to be maintained and renewed every year as the material is eroded by water. For legal reasons, they do not have to be realised with concrete. You only have until June/July to build the dams before the rainy season.

2. water pump and pipe

The main long-term solution is an electric mobile water pump that can be used to remove standing water from the areas. The area will certainly flood again. Irrespective of the dam construction or unforeseen new problems, the pump can be used again at any time. The pump, hose and tools will be procured from a specialist in the nearest town of Alaphuza so that the services can be provided nearby. As the affected area is not connected to a road, it is transported and carried by 4 to 5 men in a wooden boat.

No money from the government

The important tourist destinations in the region were given a lot of money by the state for rapid reconstruction. reconstruction. The poor, who live "behind the beautiful tourist backdrop", fell by the wayside. live.

Politically sensitive

There are no state solutions in sight, although there should be possibilities. When a group works for a solution, it is held back by rival political groups. held up.

At some point, people will have to move

Many residents would have moved away long ago if they had the had the opportunity to do so. It's not just money, work and land that are obstacles. political quibbles make it impossible to move away.

Gokul, Project Manager Kuttanad

Social work is his life, art, drawing and photography his passion! Gokul Gopinath is currently attending the Gandhigram Rural Institute in Tamilnadu and is training to become a certified social worker.

to become a certified social worker.

His sensitive and diplomatic nature makes him the ideal candidate to lead this project. His mother tongue is Malayalam, so he can communicate with the villagers in Kuttannd. Due to his excellent command of English, his flair for organisation and structured work, we receive detailed reports and regular updates on the situation.

He chose his helpers to accompany and support him on his way to Kuttanad. Incidentally, his artistic work can be found on the packaging of our incense sticks.