Legislators in most-affected areas in Kerala have been making frantic requests for help through the media. Chengannur MLA, Saji Cherian, and Angamaly MLA, Roji M John, were among those who made fervent pleas to secure help for the flood-affected people in their respective constituencies.
Saji Cherian spoke to different sections of the media appealing for help to save tens of thousands of people at Chengannur. Roji M John went live on Facebook on Friday making a compelling plea for help.
Speaking to Manorama News, Cherian said that the flood situation in the constituency was unfathomable.
The plains of Chengannur sit by the rivers Achankovil, Pamba and Manimalayar which were flowing at a height enough to drown a two-storeyed building.
He said thousands of people are struggling for food and waiting for rescue atop buildings. Though several people have been rescued, there was no food or water available for them.
“About 6,500 people are trapped here... fishermen who came in boats saved thousands of people. We have not received any help from the disaster relief forces or the military. The remote areas are completely cut off. At least 1,500 people are in an extremely critical condition.
“There are tens of thousands of people stranded in different parts of Chengannur. Please send choppers, airlift us out of this place. If we do not receive help before six in the morning tomorrow (Sunday), the state of Kerala will have to ready itself to lift up thousands of dead bodies from Chengannur,” an evidently disturbed and emotional Cherian said over the phone.
The legislator said that even the last available supplies in the area have been used to feed the people.
Adding that Chengannur was completely cut off and rescue and evacuation by land was impossible in the current situation he called for immediate help from the military choppers.
The MLA also said that there was no food available anywhere and they need an urgent consignment of at least 50,000 food packets.
People begging for life
Roji John in whose constituency falls Kalady, one of the worst-affected areas, said that the rescuers in boats were unable to cross the flooded MC Road to reach the stranded thousands.
Kaipattur, Injakkakavala, Manikyamangalam, Puvathussery, Parakkadavu, Ayiroor and the areas near the airport were the worst affected.
He said that the administration had contacted the chief minister's office and the collectorate for help several times but no help has come by.
Saying that there was almost no network connectivity to contact the marooned people he said that the messages from areas like Kaipattur and Injakkavala showed there were thousands in need of emergency rescue.
“People are begging for their life. Thousands are stranded on roof tops in the pouring rain with absolutely nothing to eat or drink. The relief camps are flooding,” he said.
Roji said helipad services were available at the Adlux Convention Centre, but despite repeated requests no help came by. Adding that even the media have been unable to access the marooned areas, he said the real picture was awfully grave.
Paravur MLA V D Satheesan said that the police and fire force, despite their best efforts have been unable to pull people out of misery. He demanded that the rescuwe mission be handed over to the military.
“Rescue is impossible. Rescuers will get caught in the deluge if they venture into the waters. Situation is as bad.” he said.
Aluva MLA Anwar Sadat also made a plea for help.
Kalady, Chengannur, Kuttanad, Aranmula and Chalakkudy are among the worst affected areas in the state.
