Wading through misery

KOCHI: Five days have passed, but the residents of Chellanam are still reeling under the havoc wrought by cyclone Ockhi. The residents, who had been shifted to the relief camps, don’t want temporary solutions to the problems they are facing. They want the authorities to implement projects that will ensure the protection of their lives and properties. One of their demands is the construction of a seawall immediately. The people’s collective under the banner of ‘Janakeeya Samiti’ has launched a hunger strike to force their demand. 

The seawall at Chellanam had crumbled nine years ago and the maintenance work was getting delayed over the period of time due to one reason or other. Due to the absence of the wall, huge waves rushed right into the houses carrying mud and filth. Nearly every house along the coast at Chellanam has been inundated with mud and the residents don’t know how to make their abodes habitable once again. 

It is being alleged the funds earmarked for development work at the coast has been syphoned off. According to Kadalora Samrakshana Samithi’ chairman Dalfin, the tsunami rehabilitation fund of more than Rs 1,400 crore allotted by the Central Government got diverted for various other works. “The only thing the government did to prevent sea erosion was to put sacks filled with sand. But these proved worthless before the fury of the sea,” he said.

Not only did cyclone Ockhi put a dent in the finances of the residents but also has badly affected the education of the children here. “St Mary’s High school where around 1,200 students study has been turned into a relief camp. Classes will resume only once the situation here goes back to normal. But when that’s the question. Since most of the houses here have become uninhabitable,” he said.Fish Merchants Union president and Karunya Charitable Trust member Stephen said, “Chellanam doesn’t have a government shelter. Hence, when natural calamities strike the residents have to take shelter in the church, parish hall and the school.” 

The plight of many here is very deplorable.  Joseph A P, brother of Rexon who died the other day, said his family including three children is now looking for a safe shelter. Chandramathi, another resident at the relief camp, said the people here don’t want free ration. “What we want is a strong seawall,” she said.  According to Manuel, a social worker, the lives of the residents are still in danger. “With nobody taking steps to prevent sea erosion, the lives of the people at Chellanam are under threat 24x7 throughout the year,” he said.

With the threat of an epidemic looming large over the area, the Health Department has taken steps to mitigate it. A medical camp has been set up by the Primary Health Centre at Chellanam. Dr Shiny, who is associated with the camp, said no communicable diseases have been reported so far.

Chellanam doesn’t have a government shelter. Hence, when natural calamities strike the residents have to take shelter in the church, parish hall and the school

— Stephen, member, Fish Merchants Union and president, Karunya Charitable Trust 

The tsunami rehabilitation fund of more than Rs 1,400 crore allotted by the Central Government got diverted for various other works. The only thing the government did to prevent sea erosion was to put sacks filled with sand. But these proved worthless before the fury of the sea

— Dalfin, chairman, Kadalora Samrakshana Samithi