KOCHI:Raising questions about pre-monsoon cleaning drive carried out by the Corporation and the district administration, rain threw the city out of gear for the second day on the trot.While water entered the houses and shops in low-lying areas, knee deep in water at both railway stations -- Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town -- and the KSRTC bus station increased the commuters' hardship.
Tracks were submerged at the Ernakulam Jn railway station affecting train schedules. While some trains were cancelled, some were running late for more than two hours. "The water even entered our offices. We hope to resume train services as the rain has stopped since the afternoon," said an officer at the Ernakulam Jn railway station.
The worst affected was the KSRTC bus station. "The waterlogging is severe here. Even though there have been proposals to construct a new bus station, nothing has been materialised till now."Even State Human Rights Commission registered a case after witnessing the condition of the bus station. But even then no action has been taken to prevent flooding. The place where employees rest are filled with water. The waiting shed is also inundated," said Shiyas, a shopkeeper at the KSRTC bus station.
Residential areas like Thammanam, Elamakkara, Panampilly Nagar were affected due to waterlogging. Even the main roads at Kaloor and Palarivattom were submerged due to incessant rain. With water level at the Perandoor Canal rising, dirty water entered houses at P&T Colony. At MG Roads, several shops remained closed after water seeped in.In the West Kochi region, waterlogging was severe at Mattancherry, Palluruthy and Fort Kochi areas.
K J Antony, Opposition leader at Kochi Corporation said had the rain continued on Monday, the city would have faced flood-like situation as seen in Chennai and Mumbai."We have been demanding the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to take give prominence to pre-monsoon cleaning. Here, the governing body sits on the project and take steps only when the rain starts. Small drains were constructed but none were connected to main drainage. During heavy rain water from these small drainage floods roads and houses. The constructions in Kochi are unscientific," he said.
Traffic blocks were severe on Monday as vehicles were moving at a slow place at various parts of the city. Additional policemen were deployed at major traffic signals."Since the roads are inundated, the traffic block is severe. Several main roads have been damaged due to continuous rain for past one week," said a police officer from the Traffic West Police Station.
High waves and sea erosion caused severe hardships in the coastal region of the district. Worst affected was Chellanam were houses were submerged.Even though, sea-wall construction was prioritised after Ockhi disaster, the construction works are yet to complete in several areas.
Water level at Muvattupuzha river increased and several parts of Piravom, Muvattupuzha are under water now.Similarly, at Kothamangalam, the Periyar river is overflowing affecting the lives of the people living along the area. Some of the bus services were cancelled to the rural areas. The schools remained closed in Ernakulam and other seven districts in the state on Monday after District collector announced holiday due to heavy rain.