Pathanamthitta: The unprecedented flood situation in the Pampa river, the worst in nearly a century, was a result of the unusually high amount of rainfall in the catchment areas as well as the heavy discharge from the eight dams upstream that had dangerously breached their water levels.
Massive landslides in hilly areas in the region induced by torrential rain also added to the flooding, wreaking havoc in many parts of Central Travancore.
The opening of all the eight dams on the Pampa river - Kakki, Anathode, Moozhiyar, Kochupampa, Karikkayam, Allunkal, Maniyar, and Poonthenaruvi -and the increase in the water flow through the Achankovil river, are the major reasons attributed to the rising water levels at the three check-dams upstream of Triveni.
The swirling waters from the dams as well as the intense rainfall in Pampa’s catchment area of 2,235 sq. km left the 176-km stretch along the riverbank heavily flooded. The rainfall in the Kakki dam area was 29 cm as recorded on August 14, while Peerumedu in Idukki received around 80 cm rain over the past week. A significant percentage of rainwater reached the river channel, causing the devastating flood.
Landslips were reported in eight locations surrounding Chittar, Seethathode, and Sabarimala. The worst landslide occurred in Vayyattupuzha village in Ranni block, with the resultant deluge causing massive destruction in downstream areas.
The situation in Pandalam on the MC Road turned grim overnight following a sudden surge in inflow from the swollen river Muttar which flows through the town. The last time Pandalam faced a similar situation was way back in 1992.
