Pathanamthitta: The flood waters have receded in the eastern parts of the district, but the areas in the western side are now in the grip of severe water logging. Upper Kuttanad is also facing flooding.
Life of people in these areas has turned hell. With water level steadily rising in Upper Kuttanad, the authorities have shifted people in the affected areas to relief camps. As many as 74 camps have been opened so far. With most of the roads under water, transportation has come to a halt.
Almost all the rivers in the district, including Pamba, Manimala, Kallar and Kakkad, have breached their banks. Water level has risen dangerously in Achenkovil River also.
Meanwhile, in Ranni taluk, flood waters have receded at many places. The shops on the banks of the Pamba River in Sabarimala which were flooded are now free of the water. Floods have withdrawn from Arayanjalimon and Kurambanmoozhi crossways.
At Peringara, Niranam and Nedumbram in Upper Kuttanad, all the low-lying areas are inundated. However, the most severely affected area in the district is the Thiruvalla taluk. Niranam, Karakkal, Swamipalam, Peringara, Mepral, Nedumbram and Chathengeri are flooded. As many as 55 relief camps were opened in these areas till 4 pm on Tuesday. But the figure rose to 64 by 7 pm. Now 3,418 people belonging to 1,201 families have reached the camps. In the taluk, 48 houses have been fully damaged due to the floods. The Mepral area is entirely cut off from other places.
Transportation affected
The T K Road is submerged at Eraviperur, Nellad and Padathupalam. Similar is the situation at Thirumoolapuram on M C Road and Pulikeezhu junction on Thiruvalla-Kayamkulam Road. Vehicular traffic is hit on Thiruvalla-Ambalapuzha Road due to water logging at Nedumbram market.
The Edathua-Harippad Road via Veeyapuram and the Niranam-Harippad Road are fully inundated. Several panchayat roads at Mepral, Niranam, Peringara and Nedumbram are flooded. Bus services have been cancelled to Mepral. KSRTC buses to Harippad via Chathangeri, Edathua and Niranam are not running.
Situation in eastern areas
The flood waters that receded from the eastern parts of the district have reached the low-lying areas like Aranmula, Kidangannur, Thottapuzhasseri, Koyipram and Arattupuzha, making life difficult for the local people.
Traffic has been affected due to flooding at Aranmula Sathrampadikkal on Kozhencheri-Chengannur Road. Mallappalli-Anikode Road, Kottayam-Kozhencheri Road are also affected. Roads at Erumakad and Ezhikad are also submerged.
Flood waters have partially submerged 25 houses at Ezhikode colony in Kidangannur village. A relief camp was opened here.
Among those who visited the flood affected areas include minister Mathew T Thomas, Veena George MLA and district collector P B Nooh.
Control rooms opened
24 X 7 control rooms are functioning at the Collectorate and all taluks. Their phone numbers are,
Collectorate – 0468 2322515, 2222515
Taluk offices:
Adoor – 04734 224826, 9447034826
Kozhencheri – 0468 2222221, 9447712221
Ranni – 04735 227442, 9447049214
Thiruvalla – 0469 2601303, 9447059203
Mallappalli – 0469 2682293, 9447014293
Konni – 0468 2240087, 8547618430
Rain havoc pictures from across Kerala:
