Kerala's smallest district, with Kuttanad lying below sea level: Alappuzha in a week of flood warnings

Background

Alappuzha, under a yellow rain alert in this spell, is described by its district administration as the smallest district of Kerala.
The Pamba, Manimala and Achenkovil rivers form a delta near the Vembanad lake in the district.
Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala, lies below sea level and was known in early Sangam-age literature.
The taluks of Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad and Karthikappally lie fully in low-lying land.
The present town owes its existence to Diwan Rajakesavadas in the second half of the 18th century, and the town was formerly called Alleppey.
The district lies between north latitudes 9°05′ and 9°54′ and east longitudes 76°17′30″ and 76°40′, with the Lakshadweep (Arabian) sea to its west.