Tunnels built horizontal to the ground instead of digging vertically are known as surangas.
Popularly known as Suranga or Thurangam, these artificial tunnel wells are carved in the slopes of laterite hills so that people can walk towards the water source.
A typical suranga can run from anywhere between 30 metres to 300 metres through a hill. This is one of the most sustainable water management systems that have been in use in and around the Kasaragod district for generations.
This unique harvesting system has been practised in Kasaragod since time immemorial to cope with water scarcity in the region.
In these tunnel wells, the flow is systematically channelised so as to collect water in a mud reservoirs.
Recently C. Kunhambu, 72, of Kundamkuzhi in Bedadka, who was well known for his skills to construct ‘Surangas’ (horizontal tunnels) through laterite hills to tap drinking water was found dead at his home