Kerala floods: Palakkad district limps back to normalcy

PALAKKAD: While the rest of Palakkad district is on the path of recovery, Nelliampathy and Attapadi still remain isolated.

As rain subsided, water level in Bharathapuzha, Bhavani, Siruvani, Jayathri and Kalpathypuzha has receded. The water level in all 12 reservoirs in the district has also come down, though water is being released from Malampuzha, Mangalam and Pothundy dams in small quantities.

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Many of those who were housed at relief camps have started shifting back to their houses. As per the latest reports, around 11,645 persons from 1,634 families are still staying in 110 relief camps across the district.

However, more than 3,000 people are still trapped at Nelliampathy since Friday as the only road to the area is destroyed and bridges have been washed away in heavy rain-induced landslides. Meanwhile, a helicopter that left for Nelliampathy from NSS School at Nemmara with food, water and medicine had to return due to bad weather on Sunday. Following this the authorities had to send relief workers, who carried the provisions on foot. A rapid action force of 130 CRPF jawans, 70 volunteers and 30 revenue officials carried 4,000 kg of relief materials on foot. They travelled 10km in vehicles from Nemmara and from there nearly 20 km on foot.

Chittur tahsildar said that there was no shortage of food items. MLA K Babu said more food, water and medicines would be sent on Monday also.

The district has also become the main centre of collection and distribution of relief materials to the worst affected districts of Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Idukki and Pathanamthitta.

Huge quantity of relief materials is pouring into the main collection and distribution centre of Indoor Stadium near Victoria College from different parts of the district and from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Three military trucks from BMEL unit in Palakkad was sent with relief materials to Chalakudi and Chengannur on Sunday.

KSRTC services resume:

District transport officer said KSRTC has resumed its services to Attapadi through Coimbatore on Sunday. Buses coming from Coimbatore will enter Attapadi via Anakatti and will go till Mukkali. KSRTC also started operating services from her to Thrissur and Malappuram districts. It also runs buses to Thiruvananthapuram via Madura, Thiruneveli and Nagarcoil. Bus service is also available to Pollachi.