Elamadu
Grama Panchayat

Elamad Panchayat is an agricultural village filled with hills and valleys, located northwest of the Chadayamangalam Block. The area of Elamad Panchayat is 30.2 square kilometers. It is bounded by Ummannoor Panchayat to the north, Edamulakkal Panchayat to the east, and Velinalloor, Pooyappally, and Veliyam Panchayats to the west. The Ithikkara River flows along the southern boundary for a distance of 2.5 kilometers.

Elamad Panchayat falls within the midland topographical region of Kerala. The highest point in this panchayat is 171 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is 40 meters above sea level. Topographically, the highest area of Elamad Panchayat is Theruvinbhagom Hill, located in the southwest, standing at an elevation of 171 meters. Comparatively elevated areas are also found in the northwestern parts of the panchayat. The lowest-lying areas are seen along the banks of the Ithikkara River, which flows along the southeastern border of the panchayat.

The total area of Elamad Panchayat is 3,002 hectares, which comprises valleys, sloped regions, and elevated land. The main cash crops in the panchayat are rubber and coconut. Mixed crops such as banana, cassava (tapioca), black pepper, areca nut, and pulses are also cultivated. While water is abundantly available in the valleys and gently sloping regions, acute water scarcity is experienced in steep slopes and elevated areas. The region receives an average rainfall of 2,454 mm. Based on topography, 90 percent of the total land area consists of sloped terrain.

Laterite soil is spread across nearly 90 percent of the panchayat. This type of soil is found in monsoon climate regions that experience alternating rainy and dry seasons. Under these climatic conditions, any rock undergoes weathering, breaks down, and gradually turns into red soil over time. This soil is seen across regions like Thevannoor, Kannamcode, and Vengoor. The alluvial soil found in the paddy fields of the panchayat has a higher clay content and lower sand content. During the rainy season, alluvium and mineral-rich water flowing down from the hills collect in the paddy fields, and the deposition of these minerals and silt forms this soil. This soil is also observed near the Ithikkara River and adjacent to the Kulanjithodu stream.

Elamad Panchayat falls under the Southern Midland Zone. The major crops cultivated in these regions are paddy, coconut, cassava, and areca nut. The maximum rainfall is received from the Southwest Monsoon. About 75 percent of the average rainfall is received during the months of June, July, and August. The average rainfall received here is 2,524 millimeters, which is 500 millimeters lower than the state average.