The Industries Department will hold Rising Poonjar 2K25 at Barakat Square, Erattupetta, on Monday, June 9, to promote investment and entrepreneurship across Poonjar constituency and nearby areas. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve will inaugurate the meet. It has registered 206 entrepreneurs, whose investment proposals total ₹2,042 crore and are expected to generate 7,381 jobs.

Target sectors include tourism, agro-based and value-added food products, IT/ITES, rubber-based industries, wood products and spice-based enterprises. The proposed Sabarimala Greenfield International Airport in Erumely is expected to improve regional connectivity. The initiative will facilitate business permissions, technical assistance and access to capital through financial institutions, government agencies and local self-governments; projects are also expected to be launched.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. A panel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., led by G. Rajeev, Additional Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce, will cover business registration, government support schemes and capital raising. Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine will inaugurate the exhibition; Cooperation and Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan will deliver the valedictory address.

Heavy rain lashed eastern Kottayam on Sunday, September 20, disrupting normal life. Showers from around 4 p.m. affected Teekoy, Thalanad, Poonjar, Adivaram, Vagamon, Pala and Bharananganam; extremely heavy rain continued in Vagamon, Meladukkam and Adivaram into the evening.

A landslide at Karikad Top on the Erattupetta–Vagamon road brought traffic to a halt after debris fell on two cars. No injuries were reported. Water also flowed onto the road at several points, blocking it in places and causing heavy traffic.

Tributaries of the Meenachil river carried increased flows; water in Teekoy was muddy and turbulent. Poonjar MLA P.J. Sebastian urged people to avoid unnecessary travel through hilly areas because of landslide and flash-flood risks. He warned of a possible rise in the river and urged residents of Teekoy, Erattupetta, Pala and other flood-prone areas to remain vigilant.

Heavy rain since Friday evening caused flooding and landslides across Kottayam district on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Regina Johny, 50, and her son Josephine Johny, 28, were killed when a landslide at Payyani Estate in Poonjar Thekkekara panchayat swept away their house around 2am; her husband, Manappattu M J John, survived. Nearly 400 houses and 150 commercial establishments were flooded in Erattupetta town. The overflowing Meenachil River submerged low-lying areas, the private bus stand road and the Thodupuzha, Pala and Vagamon roads. Flooded Nadakkal and Muhiyudheen Mosque causeways cut traffic to Pala, Thodupuzha, Kanjirappally, Vagamon and Poonjar for several hours. Six transformers were damaged and power was disrupted. Losses ran into crores of rupees. Water resources minister Mons Joseph said the state would assist affected people and families of the deceased.