KOCHI: The residents of coastal Ernakulam continue to battle the fury of the sea as raging waves now flood their houses as barricades like geo bags have been swept away.
Four houses near the Jaihind beach in Njarakkal have remained flooded for five days, with the residents left with little food and water left.
“Our house has been flooded since monday and all our appliances and other household items have been drenched in floodwater. We have difficulty in moving to a relief camp as our sister living next door is bedridden after a surgery and needs proper care,” said Mini, who lives with her husband Ratheesh P V, near the beach in Njarakkal.
The local residents fear the situation will worsen if heavy rain persists. Besides areas in Vypeen, several parts of Chellanam also faced a severe attack of tidal waves.
Meanwhile, heavy rain has resulted in widespread damage in different parts of the district. Until 6pm on Friday, Kochi received a rainfall of 23mm. A total of 216 houses were damaged in torrential monsoon rain in the district.
The water level in Muvattupuzha river has exceeded the flood warning level of 10.927m. High tidal waves and rising water levels led to flooding in several low-lying regions in the city and rural areas.
PRE-MONSOON CLEANING
KOCHI: As the main canals in the city, the Thevara Perandoor Canal and the Karanakkodam Canal, are yet to be cleaned, areas adjacent to the canals are experiencing waterlogging, alleged Opposition councillors in the Kochi Corporation.
“The Thevara-Perandoor Canal is being cleared of silt at a cost of Rs 50 crore. The work began only a few days ago. The newly purchased weed cutter and silt puller are being used by the CSML in Karanakkodam Canal.
Since these machines could not complete mud removal, the corporation had to give another contract for desilting for Rs 28 lakh,” said Antony Kureethara, the leader of opposition in the council.
