Clean-up gathers pace as floodwaters recede across Kottayam, Pathanamthitta
As floodwaters continued to recede from more areas, large-scale clean-up operations gathered pace across the flood-ravaged districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta on Thursday, even as
As floodwaters continued to recede from more areas, large-scale clean-up operations gathered pace across the flood-ravaged districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta on Thursday, even as several low-lying regions remained inundated and authorities kept a close watch on the weather. In Kottayam, houses that had remained submerged under floodwaters and slush brought by the overflowing Meenachil river for nearly four days were left coated in thick layers of slimy mud. Besides inundating houses, the floodwaters had submerged roads and breached polder bunds at several locations. The district received moderate rainfall during the day. Although the authorities withdrew the red alert by noon, residents in the high-range areas remained on edge amid fears of further rain. Meanwhile, villages along the banks of the Vembanad lake continued to reel under the impact of the floods as water was yet to drain out completely. Floodwaters are yet to recede from several villages, including Kummanam, Aymanam, Kumarakom, Ezhumanthuruthu, Ayamkudy and Vaikom.
Water levels in all major rivers, including the Meenachil, continued to hover close to the warning level. District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena has declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, in Kottayam on Friday in view of the orange alert issued for the district. The holiday will also apply to Anganwadis, tuition centres and special classes. However, examinations scheduled earlier will be held as planned. As many as 12,063 people are sheltered in 139 relief camps in Kottayam due to the rain-related disruptions. In Pathanamthitta In neighbouring Pathanamthitta, normal life gradually returned to many parts of the district as local bodies, government departments and volunteers began cleaning roads, houses and public spaces in preparation for the return of thousands of families from relief camps. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall, prompting the authorities to maintain a strict vigil.
Revenue Minister A. P. Anilkumar, who reviewed the flood situation in Thiruvalla, announced a series of relief measures, while the district administration issued fresh warnings over the heightened risk of landslips in the rain-soaked high-range regions. The Minister said the government would provide ₹10,000 to every household affected by the floods to support clean-up and restoration, irrespective of whether the family stayed in a relief camp or took shelter with relatives or elsewhere. Shop owners whose establishments were inundated will also receive ₹10,000 to help resume business, while financial assistance for crop losses will be enhanced by 25%. The government also plans to revise the existing loan scheme for traders. He said the restoration of damaged roads would be taken up on priority after detailed assessments are completed, with the works to be funded through disaster relief allocations. He also commended elected representatives, government departments and volunteer organisations for their coordinated response during the crisis.
The BriefWire