Archbishop Declares Kuttanad Unfit for Political Experimentation

Rapid Summary

• Incessant rains adn floodwaters have inundated several low-lying areas in the Kuttanad region, causing severe waterlogging that has persisted for four months.
• Archbishop Mar thomas Tharayil criticized government indifference to the ongoing crisis affecting the daily lives and agricultural sector of Kuttanad residents.
• he highlighted that Kuttanad, an area recognized by the United Nations for its development potential, is now lagging due to insufficient action from authorities.
• The Archbishop inaugurated a solidarity dharna at Mankombu on August 17, 2025, organized by All Kerala Catholic Congress with Archdiocese support.
• Lack of follow-up on major reports like the Swaminathan Commission Report (2007) and Expert Committee report (2019) was pointed out as a key failure forcing people into protests.
• Fr. Antony Ethackad presided over the event.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The prolonged waterlogging crisis in Kuttanad raises concerns about government inefficiency in disaster management and infrastructure maintenance in flood-prone areas of India. Despite being noted internationally for its development potential, locals are grappling with challenges that are compounded by stagnation in policy implementation-such as delayed action on past committee recommendations like those from 2007 and 2019.The Archbishop’s call highlights broader issues facing rural communities dependent on agriculture during natural calamities.

Failure to implement solutions outlined by expert bodies could deepen public frustration toward political representatives ahead of elections while worsening socio-economic conditions locally. Urgent intervention is needed not only to resolve immediate flooding but also to promote long-term resilience planning for regions prone to climate-induced disruptions.

Source: The Hindu Article