Urbanisation shrinks Akkulam lake by nearly half over three decades: Study

A new study shows Akkulam Lake’s open water area shrank by nearly half between 1995 and 2023. Rapid urbanisation wiped out 80% of the surrounding wetlands, weakening the city’s flood defences. Sarun S said, “Once this network is fragmented, the city gradually loses its natural defence against floods,” warning of risks.