DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCALITY

Cherthala Taluk is situated in between the two major towns Alappuzha and Ernakulam. The Hospital is under the Thannermukkom Grama Panchayat. The land in general is loose and less fertile. The area lies between backwaters in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west. This has resulted in salinity leaving an adverse impact on the fertility of the soil. According to the proximity of the land to the sea or the backwaters there are differences in the occupational preferences of people as a result of which different types of life style are seen. All the problems characteristic of a low-lying region are vividly seen here. During rainy seasons water gets logged in most of the dwelling areas of people adding to the adversities of an already misery stricken area. The inland areas have a number of ponds and streams which are the brooding grounds of mosquitoes, especially those which spread filariasis.

Though lying in between the sea and the backwaters there is acute shortage of potable water in the area. The sand being lose its water retaining capacity is less and leads to water shortage in dry weather conditions. The presence of excess salinity close to the places lying near the sea and the backwaters makes the available water in these areas unit for drinking and cooking purposes. The people in this region are fishermen and most of them are living in poor condition. Almost all are going for daily wages for their livelihood. At present with this income they find it very difficult to meet both end of life. A small part of the locality is having some comfortable income for their lives.