A political controversy has erupted in Kerala as Congress candidate Mathew Kuzhalnadan claimed that the 2018 floods were “man-made,” sparking a dispute within the JD(S), a key ally of the ruling LDF. Kuzhalnadan accused former irrigation minister Mathew T. Thomas of intentionally delaying the opening of the Thottappally spillway for private gains.
He presented an audio clip, allegedly featuring current power minister K. Krishnankutty, to support his claims. According to Kuzhalnadan, the delay in opening the spillway allowed a contractor to benefit from mineral sand deposits, exacerbating flood damage in areas like Chengannur.
The allegations have reignited factional tensions within the JD(S) dating back to the flood period. The controversy has highlighted issues of dam management during the floods and raised concerns about collusion between officials and private entities. The situation has become a focal point in the upcoming elections, overshadowing Mathew T. Thomas’s campaign in Thiruvalla.
