The map will cover all the drains, canals and water exit points

KOCHI: To find solution to the waterlogging issue, the Ernakulam district administration has decided to prepare a drainage map of Kochi city. The decision was taken at a meeting convened by district collector S Suhas on Monday.

The decision is taken as part of implementing Operation Anantha, a project to mitigate waterlogging issue in the city. State government directed the district administration to implement the project after the city faced waterlogging following heavy rains on October 21. Operation Anantha was executed successfully in Thiruvananthapuram .

The map will cover all the drains, canals and all water exit points. The collector said the drainage system in the city will be improved in three months.

As part of implementing the project, a technical committee comprising experts will be formed. The district administration will seek assistance of College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, to identify the cause of waterlogging in the city.

Officials of disaster management, KMRL, Kochi corporation, fire force, GCDA, irrigation and police officers attended the meeting. It was found that lapse in drainage cleaning resulted in the waterlogging. But elected members of Kochi corporation maintained that torrential rain and high tide led to the inundation.

As the city remained inundated for hours, district administration launched Operation Breakthrough for four hours to drain water. A team of officials from various departments took part in the drive, which involved removing all the obstacles in drains and demolishing encroachments, which prevented smooth flow of storm water.

The master plan for implementing Operation Anantha in Kochi will also incorporate the directives of Kerala high court, which found fault with the local body.

