Why this Lanka in a Keralam panchayat is betting on people-powered solution to tidal flooding

File image for representation | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT Lanka, a small idyllic island tucked away in Ezhikkara panchayat in North Paravur, is set to get what is probably the first community-led high-tide flood mitigation project aimed at addressing a problem that has been collectively taking a toll on the property and livelihoods of the coastal population in Ernakulam district of Keralam.The community co-designed project, named Resilient Lanka, will be jointly implemented by Equinoct, a Kochi-based, community-sourced environmental and climate-modelling technology solutions provider, and Happiness Project, a newly formed foundation, under the overall supervision of the Ezhikkara panchayat. The project is an extension of the collaboration between Equinoct and the Ezhikkara panchayat over the last five years to document, monitor and assess the impact of tidal flooding with the active participation of local communities. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the project on November 15.“The project may prove critical for the small local community in Lanka, which has been badly affected by tidal flooding. The panchayat is committed to ensuring transparent implementation of the project. If found successful, the project will be extended to more tidal flooding-prone areas of the panchayat,” said Seena Sajeev, president of the Ezhikkara panchayat.The project seeks to translate the evidence and understanding built through years of community engagement into locally appropriate mitigation measures. Its defining approach is to place the people experiencing tidal flooding at the centre of planning and implementation. Residents’ lived experiences, local knowledge and priorities will inform the identification, design and implementation of measures suited to the specific conditions of the settlement.“The preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will mark the first phase of the project, and it will be ready by the end of the year. We have requested the State Planning Board to recognise this pilot as a demonstration model for locally led climate adaptation, showcasing community-driven approaches to strengthening climate resilience across coastal Kerala.,” said C.G. Madhusoodhanan, chief executive officer of Equinoct.The initiative will focus on three aspects: preventing flooding, facilitating the smooth receding of water in the event of flooding, and ensuring that houses and properties are not affected. Short-term solutions are already being worked out ahead of the tidal flooding predicted for three days from November 9. Lessons from the implementation of these measures will be incorporated into the drafting of the DPR for a long-term solution.L.G. Gireesh, a 48-year-old fisherman who was born and brought up in Lanka, hopes the project will finally bring relief from tidal flooding, which has been taking a toll on the properties and livelihoods of residents.“Earlier, there was a pattern to tidal flooding and it was largely seasonal. But now it has become almost a daily phenomenon, and on some days it happens more than once. The time taken for the water to recede has also increased,” he rued. Published - November 06, 2026 10:20 am IST