Floodwaters of the Vembanad lake began to intrude into the coastal island of Mulavukad on Friday evening.
With high tide worsening the situation further, people have started leaving their homes to relatively safer places, while water continues to gain ground.
A strong jet of water gushed right across the road leading to the island near Container Terminal Road.
A rope has been tied across the road to help people cross the inundated stretch without being swept away by the strong currents.
Baby Prabhakaran, in her 60s, almost had a fall despite hanging on to the rope, thanks to local volunteers who extended a helping hand in time.
Shrimp farms
“The dysfunctional shrimp farms on either side of the road have made things worse. Else, there would have been proper protection against water intrusion,” said Dineshan, a local resident, whose house is in danger of being submerged.
Baby, another local resident, said not since 1961 had such a phenomenon been seen.
“Normally, water drains out during low tide. But with the Periyar in spate, that can’t be guaranteed,” he added.
Being a traditionally low-lying area, there is no scope for running relief camps, lamented Pramod, a former member of Mulavukad panchayat.