Vaikom: Even though the rains have subsided, waterlogging continues to plague the Pazhambatti area of Thalayolaparambu panchayat. Over 25 families remain stranded, struggling with stagnant water that has not drained for months.

Residents attribute the persistent waterlogging to disrupted flow in the village waterbodies and the absence of cultivation in the polder networks during this monsoon season. The crisis is most severe in houses located near these polders. For people including schoolchildren to step outside their homes, they often have no choice but to wade or swim through water. Some residents have erected temporary footbridges to access the main road.

While the people here have been living like this since May, the authorities have not initiated any steps to address the issue  despite repeated pleas.

While this area has faced waterlogging in previous years too, the water would recede in tandem with falling water levels in nearby streams and canals. This year, however, there appears to be no route for the water to drain out, leaving residents with little choice but to wait for the rainy season to end.

Locals say that the situation could be partially resolved if monsoon crops were cultivated regularly and the outer bunds of the polders were raised. “With no work or wages, I’m struggling to manage even basic household expenses,” said Leela, a resident of Pazhambatti.