and an alternate route from Kothamangalam was conceived and constructed. The new route was constructed through the alignment recommended by the then British surveyor, Mr. Valetine through Neriamangalam, Mannamkandam, Pallivasal to Munnar. This was the route through which the elephants trespass. This road was completed in 1931 and inaugurated by Regent Queen Sethulakshmibai on 31 March the same year. The inauguration ceremony was organized at Ranikkallu near Neriamangalam. The general manager of Kannan Devan Tea Estate, Mr. Wallace invited the queen to declare the road open" Kunjithomman, Elenjical, Kothamangalam made a long speech in this occasion." Mr. K. Thanu Pillai, Executive Engineer, says in his report of 19 July 1924: "The night of the 16th was an awful one for the town of Alwaye, especially its low lying suburbs. Cries of help were heard from all sides, The limited number of boats, public and private, could hardly cope with the rescue of lives, not to speak of property.. The current set up by the river overflowing its banks was so powerful that many boats engaged in rescue work are reported to have capsized. The roll of casualty is also said to be considerable but the exact number of casualties and the magnitude of the destruction and challenge caused by this unprecedented flood could not be known until the flood subsides. The flood reached its zenith on the afternoon of the 17th, it having risen nearly 6 ft. above the recorded M. F. L. it the local Railway bridge. Nearly a foot of the deep railway girder was also submerged. The flood began to subside from the evening of the 17th." Image Links A Railway Station Head Quarters collapsed in the flood A view of the 1924 Flood from Munnar Idukki Rainfall information for 15 to 18 July 1924 Report on Alwaye See also 1341 Floods in Kerala 2018 Kerala floods References Floods in India History of Kerala Periyar (river) 1924 floods 1924 in India Disasters in Kerala Floods in Kerala 1924 disasters in India