The intervention of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has kindled the hopes of fishermen who lost their houses in the sea surge but the plight of the people living inches close to the sea remain unattended. There are several houses which are still facing the threat from sea and there are people living in it risking their lives.
It’s strange that the government has provision only to protect the people who have lost their houses in the sea surge.
There is no plan or project to save the property or lives of the people living in a hazardous situation.
“Everyone knows our problem. But there is no special project or special allocation for the people living close to a turbulent sea. The lives of us are in danger also, but there is no scheme available in the state to protect the people about to be affected by calamity. So we will get help only after we have lost everything,” Abdul Haddi, a native of Puthuponnani, said.
The sea here has not calmed down yet. Natives at Puthuponnani area are expecting another disaster anytime. Strong wind is also posing threat. The Mulla Road and the Girls High School situated at the
other side of it are also under threat from sea. The school and road are only 10-metres away from the sea now.
The situation in the relief camp has improved after the intervention of the Chief Minister. But they have not got any official conformation about the rehabilitation programmes.
“There are rumours that the government has identified land at Veliyamkode for the rehabilitation project. According to sources, each family which lost the houses would get three cents of land to construct a house. But we have not received any official confirmation regarding this,” Kunjumon, an occupant of the the relief camp said.
Free ration have been allocated to the inmates of the relief camps. But they are not satisfied with the support from the government. They want the uncertainty over their future to be cleared.