Chathamangalam
Grama Panchayat

Geography

Chathamangalam is a prosperous agricultural village surrounded by the Cherupuzha and Irupazhinjipuzha, which are tributaries of the Chaliyar River. The region, consisting of hills, paddy fields, and streams, covers an area of 40.24 square kilometres. The Panchayat was established on 24 September 1956.

The plains and valleys at the foothills of the small hills were once extensive areas of paddy cultivation. Due to high labour costs and the reduced availability of workers, most of these paddy fields have gradually been converted into areas for vegetable cultivation. On the higher land, crops such as coconut, arecanut, rubber, and black pepper are cultivated. The region generally experiences a moderate climate and includes four small watersheds.

Climate

From June to September, the southwest monsoon provides about 60% of the total annual rainfall. The northeast monsoon (Thulavarsham) is also received from October to December. However, the climate can sometimes be unpredictable. It is worth noting that during the recent June–July period, there was no rainfall even during the traditionally rainy period known as Thiruvathira Njattuv ela, which is normally characterized by continuous rain.

The coldest months are December and January, when temperatures generally remain below 27°C. During the period leading up to March, temperatures may rise to around 38°C. According to available records, apart from a slight decrease in rainfall, there has been no significant change in the climate of the region over the past hundred years.

The plains and valleys at the foothills of the small hills were once extensively used for paddy cultivation. The major types of soil found in the region are laterite soil, alluvial soil, and sandy soil. These soils are highly fertile. Water scarcity can occur in the higher areas. At the same time, some hilly areas have natural springs that continue to provide water even during severe summer conditions.

Many of the paddy fields that existed in the past have now been reclaimed and converted for the cultivation of cash crops and for building construction.