The If Cities Could Speak project in Ernakulam district, India focuses on two coastal locations: Chellanam and Kumbalangi.

In Chellanam, the sea is never too far from people’s homes. This coastal panchayat faces the brunt of frequent sea surges, when waves push past the shore and into the narrow lanes of the village. For residents, this intrusion is not just about water entering their homes—it also means overflowing sewage tanks, foul smells, and an increased risk of disease. Coping with these recurring surges has become part of everyday life. Some families gather their belongings and move to relatives’ houses until the waters recede. Others rent small spaces in neighboring localities, though this option is costly and out of reach for most. What emerges is a picture of resilience shaped by necessity — temporary adjustments and makeshift solutions in the face of a problem that never fully goes away. .

People wade through their streets, walls bear flood marks, and homes must be rebuilt often. Yet the people stay — strong, unwavering.

In Kumbalangi, flooding comes every season. Yet boats leave daily, nets are cast, and fish are caught — rain or shine.

The backwaters nourish life here. Pearl spot fish, clam collection, and auctions define both work and culture. This is waterborne resilience.

In Kumbalangi, an island village on the Vembanad Lake located on the fringes of Kochi city, most residents rely on inland fishing for their livelihood. Between January and February, the village experiences seasonal flooding, locally known as Vrishchika Kayattam, which affects their daily lives. Besides flooding, residents also face other health challenges at different times of the year, such as heatstroke, and some fishermen suffer from kidney stones.