Kochi: Ten relief camps have been opened in Ernakulam district as heavy rain submerged low-lying areas and caused waterlogging in roads across the city.
District Collector S Suhas said on Monday that 399 families have been shifted to the relief camps and all facilities arranged for them.
“All the village officers and revenue staff in the district are on a high alert. We have taken all necessary precautions. One NDRF team is prepositioned,” the collector said.
The collector said strict direction has been issued to the Kochi corporation officials to clear the drainages in the city on a war footing.
The local self governing bodies have also been asked to take action against illegal constructions blocking drainage.
All community health centres and primary health centres have been directed to be opened in the next 24 hours. Quarrying has been banned in the district for 72 hours. Water tourism is also banned.
Holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in the district on Tuesday. Fishermen have been asked not to venture out to the sea till Wednesday.
Kaloor sub station
Suhas said the waterlogging at the KSEB's sub station at Kaloor was the main concern. “We are using 12 pumps to pump out water from there. Two squads of fire force and police are also on the spot. A decision on restoring electricity will be taken by experts," he said.
Bypoll worries
The voting for the Ernakulam assembly bypoll was progressing at a slow pace due to the rain. The collector said 11 polling booths have been shifted to either first floor of the buildings or adjacent buildings.
Polling has been very low in five booths at Sree Narayana Higher Secondary School in Ayyappankavu. The collector urged all voters, who haven't voted, to be present at their polling booths before 6 pm and get the token to exercise their franchise.
Earlier in the day, Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said there was no circumstances warranting to postpone polling in the constituency.
