Geography”
Vettikkavala Grama Panchayat is a region characterized by plains, hills, and valleys. The tributaries of the Kallada River and Ithikkara River originate from this area. Based on Kerala’s physiographic divisions, Vettikkavala Panchayat is generally situated in the midland region, although its eastern areas, due to their elevation, fall within the highland zone.
The general slope of the land is from south to north, though slopes from south to west and north to east can also be observed. The Panchayat shares boundaries with Mylom Panchayat in the north, Vilakkudy Panchayat in the northeast, Karavaloor Panchayat in the east, Ummannoor Panchayat in the south, Edamulackal Panchayat in the southeast, and Kottarakkara Panchayat in the west.
Based on topography, Vettikkavala can mainly be classified into four categories: parallel hill ranges, isolated elevated regions, sloping areas, and valleys. The long elevated stretches extending westward from Vettikkavala in the north, the comparatively elevated regions north of Kannamkode, and the elevated ranges extending through Sadanandapuram, Kannamkode, and Chirattakonam up to Kurumbelil Junction belong to the high hill regions. Rubber and mixed trees are cultivated in these areas, and laterite soil is commonly found here.
The sloping regions, which account for 51.8% of the Panchayat’s total area, can be divided into steep slopes and gentle slopes. The hill slopes southeast of Kamukeenkodu Ward, the slopes west of Iranoor, and the slopes west of Kokkad are comparatively steeper areas. Soil erosion occurs here during the rainy season. Rubber, tapioca, banana, and occasionally coconut are cultivated in these regions. Areas such as Thalachira, Kannamkode, Thettiyode, and the western parts of Vettikkavala fall under gently sloping regions. Rubber, mixed crops, coconut, and mixed trees are cultivated there, and these areas have moderate water availability.
All valleys are associated with streams. The regions through which the Panaveli stream flows — especially the western parts of Panaveli extending through Nedumonkavu and further westward — as well as the Thalachira stream flowing northward towards Chakkuvarakkal and the adjoining areas including Nellikkodu Ela, belong to this category. Valleys make up 33.6% of the total area. Paddy is the main crop cultivated here, along with banana, ginger, and tapioca.
Vettikkavala Grama Panchayat belongs to the southern midland agricultural zone. The Panchayat experiences the same climatic conditions as the rest of the district, without major variations. Streams, ponds, and wells are the main water sources in the area. The Panchayat receives good rainfall during the Malayalam months of Edavam, Thulam, and Vrischikam, while drought conditions are usually experienced during Makaram and Kumbham.
The Panchayat contains streams belonging to the basins of two major rivers. The northern streams are part of the Kallada River basin system, while the southwestern streams such as Panaveli Thodu, Thettiyode Ela, and Ela Thodu belong to the Ithikkara River basin system. The major streams in the Panchayat are Kottavattam, Chakkuvarakkal Thodu, Nellikkodu Ela Thodu, Thettiyode Ela Thodu, Panaveli Thodu, and Kottoor Thodu. Their combined length is about 55 kilometers. In addition, canals also supply water required for the Panchayat, with a total canal length of 10.92 kilometers.