Kerala HC Salutes Flood Hero R.Rajesh, Puts Kochi Corporation on Guard for Monsoon Season
The Kerala High Court took stock of Kochi's flood preparedness on 6 August 2026, paid tribute to R.Rajesh who drowned saving another near Kannur, and directed the District Collector's Committee to file a status report by 13 August 2026.
Justice Devan Ramachandran, sitting singly at the Kerala High Court, convened a hearing on 6 August 2026 in RP No.165/2026 in WP(C)No.23911/2018 to assess the condition of Kochi in the wake of the monsoon. Before addressing the city's drainage situation, the court placed on record a tribute to R.Rajesh, a young man reported to have drowned near Meenthully Island in Kannur after handing his life jacket to another person during a flood rescue. The court then reviewed reports from the Amici Curiae on canal cleaning, noted persistent complaints about the Thevara–Perandoor canal and railway culverts, and directed a fresh status report before the next date of 13 August 2026.
The Dispute Before the High Court
The proceedings arise from writ petitions filed in 2018 concerning Kochi's chronic flooding and waterlogging. The court has been monitoring the city's drainage infrastructure, canal cleaning, and preparedness measures through a High Power Committee constituted under the stewardship of the District Collector. Review Petition No.165/2026 was listed on 6 August 2026 specifically to take stock of the situation following the onset of the current monsoon season.
The court has appointed Amici Curiae — Sri Sunil Kumar and Sri Govind Padmanabhan — who have been engaging with the situation on the ground and reporting regularly to the bench. Sri K. Anand appears as Standing Counsel for the Kochi Corporation, Sri Manu Thomas as learned Government Pleader, and Sri T.C. Krishna as Senior Panel Counsel for the Indian Railways.
Tribute to R.Rajesh
Before turning to Kochi's drainage position, Justice Ramachandran addressed the reported death of R.Rajesh. According to information placed before the court by the Amici Curiae, R.Rajesh gave his jacket to another person during rescue operations near Meenthully Island in Kannur and was himself swept away by the strong current. He did not survive.
The court recorded that “the sacrifice of Sri.R.Rajesh is supreme and unparalleled” and observed that his family had been plunged into deep sorrow. It called on the Government to respond “appositely, reflecting the extreme grief of the civil society.” The court stated that it stands in prayer with his family and salutes his bravery.
Kochi's Flood Situation: Cautious Relief
The Amici Curiae informed the court that, despite near-heavy rains in recent days, large-scale flooding within Kochi city limits had been largely avoided. Some waterlogging was reported in very low-lying areas, but the water receded once the rain stopped. The court described this as “gratifying” but was careful not to treat it as a conclusive success.
The Standing Counsel for the Kochi Corporation, Sri K. Anand, confirmed that intensive cleaning work had been carried out before and during the monsoon and assured the court that this would continue.
Despite this, the court received complaints that certain drains and canals had not been fully cleaned. Dr. Pradeep brought to the court's notice that the Thevara–Perandoor canal was still visibly choked with large amounts of floating hyacinth. The court directed that the District Collector's Committee must remain on guard throughout the season and ensure that cleaning and other remedial measures are carried out without interruption through the Corporation and other stakeholders.
Justice Ramachandran observed that Kochi sits perilously close to sea level, or possibly even below it, making sustained maintenance a matter of direct civic safety rather than a routine administrative task. The broader flooding being witnessed across Kerala, the court said, must serve as an eye-opener: if sufficient care is not maintained in Kochi, the city could face a similar fate.
Railway Culverts: A Recurring Complaint
A complaint before the court was that unless the railway culverts are properly reconstructed, jetting and other cleaning processes may not be able to keep them clear at all times. Sri T.C. Krishna, Senior Panel Counsel for the Indian Railways, submitted that this concern had not been lost sight of by his clients and that they would respond appropriately. The court recorded this submission.
Acknowledgement of Cleaning Staff and Amici Curiae
Justice Ramachandran set aside a specific observation to acknowledge the Corporation's cleaning staff and the other stakeholders of the District Collector's Committee for the effort made so far. The court also noted that the Amici Curiae had gone well beyond their formal brief and professional commitments, being present on the streets on an almost regular basis to monitor the situation and report back to the court.
The Minor Irrigation Department was also directed to file a report on the cleaning of canals and their ongoing restoration, following a submission by Sri Manu Thomas, learned Government Pleader, that such a report would be forthcoming.
Order
The matter was listed for 13 August 2026. The District Collector's Committee was directed to file a report by that date indicating all actions being taken and the proposals that require consideration. The submission by the Indian Railways that the issue of railway culverts would be addressed was recorded, and the matter was listed accordingly before Justice Devan Ramachandran.