Local transportation has been disrupted, and several families continue to stay in their houses despite rising water levels.
Published Jul 24, 2025 | 12:46 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 24, 2025 | 12:46 PM
Sea erosion and sudden tidal flooding in Chellanam and Cheriyakadavu. (Sreelakshmi Soman/South First)
Synopsis: The coastal regions of Chellanam and Cheriyakadavu near Kochi are facing serious challenges as relentless sea erosion and sudden tidal flooding have damaged several homes and left many residents stranded. The worsening coastal situation comes amid warnings from the IMD of intensified monsoon activity across Kerala.
The coastal regions of Chellanam and Cheriyakadavu near Kochi in Kerala are facing serious challenges as relentless sea erosion and sudden tidal flooding have damaged several homes and left many residents stranded.
As of Thursday, 24 July, local transportation has been disrupted, and several families continue to stay in their houses despite rising water levels.
“We are expecting even stronger tides and more sea incursion soon,” Sebastian VT, a resident of Chellanam, told South First.
The worsening coastal situation comes amid warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) of intensified monsoon activity across Kerala over the coming days. The trigger is Tropical Cyclone Wipha, which originated in the western Pacific Ocean and has now weakened into a cyclonic circulation.
The system is expected to enter the Bay of Bengal within 24 hours and is likely to lead to the formation of a low-pressure area over the region in the next two days.
Under its influence, widespread rainfall, ranging from heavy (7–11 cm in 24 hours) to very heavy (12–20 cm in 24 hours), is expected across the state till 29 July. The IMD has placed multiple districts under yellow and orange alerts as a precaution.
The IMD issued a yellow alert for Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts for Thursday.
Orange alert for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Thrissur and yellow alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod on Friday.
Further, an orange alert was issued for Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad for Saturday and a yellow alert for the remaining ten districts, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Ernakulam.
For Sunday, an orange alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod and a yellow alert for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad. Stronger winds up to 50–60 kmph are expected intermittently, especially along the coastal belt till Sunday.
Heavy rainfall (7–11 cm in 24 hours) is likely in isolated areas across the state on 28 and 29 July.
A yellow alert indicates heavy rainfall ranging from 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm within 24 hours, while an orange alert signifies very heavy rainfall, exceeding 115.6 mm and up to 204.4 mm within the same period.
Meanwhile, the IMD urged fishermen and coastal residents to remain cautious, avoid venturing into the sea, and stay alert for sudden weather changes.
Disaster management authorities are monitoring the situation closely, particularly in vulnerable coastal areas like Chellanam, which continue to face the dual threat of monsoon rain and sea erosion.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
