{
  "id": 18444381,
  "title": "Why this Lanka in a Keralam panchayat is betting on people-powered solution to tidal flooding",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/why-this-lanka-in-a-keralam-panchayat-is-betting-on-people-powered",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T04:53:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/why-this-lanka-in-a-keralam-panchayat-is-betting-on-people-powered-solution-to-tidal-flooding/article71672734.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lanka, a small island situated in Ezhikkara panchayat in North Paravur, is preparing to undertake a pioneering community-led initiative against tidal flooding, potentially the first of its kind in Keralam. This project, named Resilient Lanka, will be jointly executed by Equinoct, a Kochi-based organization specializing in environmental and climate-modelling technology solutions, and Happiness Project, a recently established foundation, all under the supervision of Ezhikkara panchayat. The project's launch is scheduled for November 15 by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. Seena Sajeev, president of the Ezhikkara panchayat, emphasized the importance of the project for the affected local community, stating its commitment to transparent implementation. If successful, the project could be expanded to other tidal flooding-prone areas within the panchayat. The project's core principle is to empower those directly impacted by tidal flooding, integrating their experiences, local knowledge, and priorities into the planning and execution of measures tailored to their unique circumstances. The first phase, involving the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Equinoct's CEO, C.G. Madhusoodhanan, aims to have the project recognized as a demonstration model for community-led climate adaptation by the State Planning Board. The initiative will primarily focus on three key areas: preventing flooding, facilitating the timely receding of water, and safeguarding homes from damage. Immediate short-term solutions are already being developed ahead of the predicted tidal flooding from November 9, with lessons learned from their implementation expected to inform the creation of the long-term DPR. L.G. Gireesh, a 48-year-old fisherman and a resident of Lanka, expressed optimism about the project's potential to alleviate the ongoing daily tidal flooding, which has increasingly affected the properties and livelihoods of locals.",
  "summary": "The community project, named Resilient Lanka, will be jointly implemented by Equinoct, a Kochi-based community-sourced environmental and climate-modelling technology solutions provider, and Happiness Project, a newly formed foundation, under overall supervision of Ezhikkara panchayat",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}