KOCHI:A house was fully damaged and 11 were partially damaged as incessant rain continued to wreak havoc in the district on Monday. Trees were also uprooted at many parts of the district due to rain and wind. However, no casualties have been reported so far.The district administration swung into action by opening 24-hour disaster control rooms in all taluks from Monday.
Damages to houses were reported at Karukutty, Parakadavu, Chengamanad, Manjapra and Aluva. In all, 28 houses have been damaged in the district sine monsoon started.Village officers have been directed to cut the tree branches leaning on roads and those posing danger to human lives. Taluk-level tree committees have been constituted to monitor trimming of tree branches that are leaning over electric lines and roads. Elamkulam village officer said steps would be initiated to cut a tree which is located close to Kaloor-Pachalam road. The work has been delayed as some have argued that the tree need not be cut down but only branches need to be trimmed. The Irrigation department has also initiated disaster management steps at Chellanam which has been hit by the sea incursion. Interim measures have been taken to prevent flooding at Bazar, Companypady, North Velankanni, Cheriyakadavu and Alungal breach side near Chellanam.
Geo-bags at the height of seawall are being laid to prevent sea water coming in.As many as 300 geo-bags have been laid at Bazar and Companypaddy areas on Monday.Cleaning of canals has been completed at all wards in Chellanam panchayat.
Muvattupuzha Panchayat also initiated various steps to tackle the effects of heavy rain. Officers have been given direction about measures to be taken in case of flooding and landslide in each panchayat.
The directions have been given to start rehabilitation camps at the schools in case of any natural calamity.
The public can contact Control Room to report natural calamities and for relief packages at District Emergency Office- 0484-2423513 and Toll-Free number 1077.
The taluk level Control Room numbers are- Aluva 0484 2624052, Kanayanoor 0484 2360704, Kochi 0484 2215559, Kothamangalam 0485 28 22298, Kunathunad 0484 25 22224, Muvattupuzha 0485 2813 773 and Paravoor 0484 244 2326.