Alappuzha: Despite the intensity of rain coming down, the misery in low-lying Kuttanad continues.
A.P Govarajan, a pump operator at Valiyathuruthu Padasekharam, in remote Kainakary, said he had to suspend pumping halfway as the pressure in the river water went up after high tide in the sea. “The water level is on the rise compared to Saturday,” he said.
The district continues to be on red alert till Monday, and there's every chance for the water level to go up. “The people should abide by the instructions of officials,” the district administration said in a statement.
“Parents should not let their children play on the river or canal side as the water level could go up in these days. No people should travel to hilly places, especially landslide-pro-ne areas. Vehicles should not be parked under trees.”
It has roped in Akshaya Patra Foundation, which runs a school lunch programme in Karnataka.
Collector S. Suhas said a 15-member team would prepare meals and distribute in relief camps and gruel centres.
“Their service will start from Edathua. More tea-ms will reach Alappuzha as per requirement,” he said.
In Chengannur, 12 more relief camps were open on Saturday - six in Enn-akkad, one each in Pand-anad, Mulakuzha, Kurat-tissery, Cheriyanad and two in Mannar - sheltering 2231 people from 546 families.
Five gruel centres were also open, serving 211 people. A relief camp was open in Mavelikara.
As many as 15716 people from 3823 families depend on 137 gruel centres.
NTBR won’t be dropped
Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said that 66th edition of Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) would not be dropped. He was talking to reporters here on Sunday.
“We will decide on a date after consultations with cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar.
Sachin had given us the previous date cutting short his tour to England. As NTBR has been rescheduled due to rain havoc, we are getting in touch with him to get next convenient date. So there is no question of cancelling the event’, he said.
Meanwhile, if the NTBR would not be held next week, the fixture of proposed Champion’s Boat League will be derailed. Apart from this, the boat clubs which have been holding practice sessions for last several weeks will have to bear huge finical liability. The NTBR society, which organises the event, has already spent at least '50 lakh in preparation for the event.
