Topography
Alappuzha has a diverse topography. It is a sandy strip of land intercepted by lagoons, rivers and canals. There are neither mountains nor hills in the district except some scattered hillocks lying between Bharanikkavu and Chengannur blocks in the eastern portion of the district. Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Kuttanad and Karthikappally Taluks fully lie in low land region. 80% of the district lies in coastal region and the rest in midland region.The district has a contiguous long coastline of 82 Km. Alappuzha is the only district where there is no high land and forest area in Kerala. Water bodies constitute 13% of the district and Kuttanad area lies below sea level.
Climate
The climate is moist and hot in the coast and slightly cool and dry in the interior of the district. The average monthly temperature is 250 C. The district also gets the benefit of two outstanding monsoons as in the case of other parts of the state. The district has 8 reporting rain gauge stations at Arookutty, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Harippad, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara and Chengannur. The average rainfall in the district is 2763 mm.
Hot season – March to May
South-west monsoon (Edavappathi) – June to September
North-east monsoon (Thulavarsham) – October to November
Dry weather – December to February
| SOIL | TALUK | CROPS[Main] |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy | Western parts of Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Karthikappally | Coconut |
| Peaty & Kari | Eastern regions of Cherthala & Ambalapuzha, western portions of Kuttanad | Poor fertility & of low yields |
| Alluvial | Rest of Kuttanad, north eastern portions of Karthikappally, western portions of Chengannur, north western sector of Mavelikkara & the delta region formed by Pamba, Manimala and Achenkovil rivers near its confluence with the Vembanad lake | Paddy, Sugar cane |
| Laterite | Major portion of Chengannur & Mavelikkara | coconut, arecanut,fruit trees etc. |
| Sandy | Cherthala, Ambalapuzha, Karthikappally | Coconut |