KOCHI: Heavy rain continued to keep the district on edge on Tuesday with water levels in the Muvattupuzha river remaining high, more families shifted to relief camps and authorities stepping up precautionary measures as a red alert remained in force.
Even as the muddied waters of the Muvattupuzha River lap at its banks, residents of Muvattupuzha taluk have their fingers crossed, for the rain to subside. According to Sumith M S, a local resident, the continuous rain is proving to be a big trouble. “Water is not receding as expected. In the past, during the brief intervals between the rain, water used to recede. But now that is not happening,” he said.
Since August 1, heavy rain has damaged eight houses in the district. Seven houses suffered partial damage while one house was completely destroyed. The number of people in relief camps continued to rise. As of Tuesday, nine relief camps were functioning across the district, sheltering 202 people from 64 families.
As the red alert was in place in the district, Minister and Piravom MLA Anoop Jacob directed officials to open additional relief camps wherever required in the constituency and ensure the availability of foodgrains, LPG cylinders, generators and other essential supplies.
The sub-collector has been directed to assess the situation in the coastal areas of Chellanam and Kannamaly where sea erosion has intensified. The district administration has ordered te closure of all tourism destinations on Wednesday in view of public safety.