History has recorded, for more than 300 years Mahodayapatanam was the capital of Kerala. The port in Mahodayapattanam, Muziris was one of the most important and vibrant ports in the Indian sub-continent for a very long time. Therefore, it was the economic capital too, of Kerala. Naturally the people in the region might have enjoyed a high standard of living.
What do we have now? Nothing.
We lost everything because of natural disasters – floods.
The devastating flood of the year 1341 changed the entire geography of Mahodayapattanam
(Kodungallur). The port of Muziris vanished overnight because of silt.
(Kodungallur). The port of Muziris vanished overnight because of silt.
The floods of the year 1924 washed away even a huge mountain in Munnar. Destroyed many roads,
the first monorail in India …. Coastal areas were deeply submerged in water.
the first monorail in India …. Coastal areas were deeply submerged in water.
We all witnessed the recent flood of 2018. Many people lost their lives, in addition to the lives of
millions of other living beings. There was mass migration of human beings and loss of properties too.
millions of other living beings. There was mass migration of human beings and loss of properties too.
In the future too, the impact of floods in Kodungallur and N. Parur could be devastating because
of the presence of a big barrier at the river mouth (a product of the floods of 1341,1924 and
human activities) at Azhikode which will be a bottle neck and obstruct the quick discharge of
flood-water into the sea. Naturally the level of flood water will rise up immediately.
The energised, devastating flood water will run over the entire coastal, flood prone areas of
Kodungallur and N. Parur destroying everything on its path.
of the presence of a big barrier at the river mouth (a product of the floods of 1341,1924 and
human activities) at Azhikode which will be a bottle neck and obstruct the quick discharge of
flood-water into the sea. Naturally the level of flood water will rise up immediately.
The energised, devastating flood water will run over the entire coastal, flood prone areas of
Kodungallur and N. Parur destroying everything on its path.
Now, who knows under the present unpredictable climatic conditions, in the event of a cloud burst
or even a very heavy rain fall in the catchment areas of related dams and the river basins of
Periyar..., how much of present day Kodungallur and N. Parur will be left?
or even a very heavy rain fall in the catchment areas of related dams and the river basins of
Periyar..., how much of present day Kodungallur and N. Parur will be left?
The truth is ‘nobody knows; and nobody can predict’
The only possible solution is to take all possible precautions to minimise the impact.
We should do whatever we can to safeguard the region, the people and their
properties, by removing the barrier at the river mouth in Azhikode, at the earliest or in
other words desilting the river and the river mouth
properties, by removing the barrier at the river mouth in Azhikode, at the earliest or in
other words desilting the river and the river mouth
Please remember, avoidance of disaster is also a very important part of disaster management.
Expected benefits of desilting: The urgent requirement is to reduce the impact of flood to a great
extent and save the people and their properties. The others, mentioned below, are developmental
activities which will take its own time.
extent and save the people and their properties. The others, mentioned below, are developmental
activities which will take its own time.
- Desilting will lay the foundation for multiple facilities like sea port, harbour,
- dry docks etc.at Kodungallur.
- KDLR will be an intermediary port to the major Cochin Sea Port.
- Automatic conversion to higher levels from the present status of Minor Port.
- Increased cargo movement in the Kodungallur backwaters.
- Big chances for development of inland ports
- Increased economic activity resulting in higher standard of living.
- Municipal income will increase manifold because of the various shipping activities.
- Municipality need not spend any money for desilting rather it will earn millions of Rupees
- from the huge sand deposits in the area.
It is high time we revived the Muziris Port from its deep slumber of almost seven centuries.
Also, please remember, the port holds the potential for unlimited economic gains.
Nijel P.K,
Mob: 09539522314,
Kodungallur,
19-11-2019.
