Kochi: Aluva and its surrounding areas have been virtually cut-off with flood waters and rains continuing for the second day. Several persons are stranded in high rise apartments. By Thursday afternoon, Periyar water has started reaching areas seven kilometres from the river banks.
Thousands of people were stranded in Kadungalloor, Paravur, Eloor, Perumbavoor, Kalady, Okkal, Chelamattom and Vallom. Many families were feared trapped in Karumalloor, Thuruthu, Malikampeedika, Manjali, Puthanvelikara, Chendamangalam, Kozhithuruth and Thelathuruth.
Kochi Metro, train and bus services have been disrupted between Ernakulam and Aluva. Traffic along the Aluva Chalakudy route has also been disrupted. Metro train services resumed by 4 p.m, on reduced speed and less frequency.
The Siva temple at Manapuram has been completely submerged with the water level increasing further. As the situation became grave, more teams of army personnel, National Disaster Response Force and Navy have been deployed at Aluva and nearby areas.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged those staying in areas within half a kilometre of Periyar and one kilometre of Chalakudy river to move at the earliest.
Patients from hospitals in Aluva have been discharged including those who are in serious condition in ICU. Rescue teams have shifted patients and doctors safely.
Residents of high-rise apartments have been evacuated and vehicles in apartments’ basement areas were shifted earlier. However, several residents were reluctant to leave their houses and rescue workers had to forcefully shift them to relief camps or safer places. Women with infants were shifted in buoys and small boats.
Meanwhile, there are complaints that people in relief camps are facing problems like shortage of food and other essential items. There is acute shortage of drinking water in many camps.
“There are nearly 500 to 1,000 people in many camps. In the newly opened camps in Puthanvelikara, there is scarcity of food. Even small children and aged are not getting food on time,” said Binoy R, a rescue worker.
The Indian Coast Guard team has rescued several persons from flooded areas in Aluva. The team- headed by Kaushal Kumar and the team headed by Nalin Bhargava were deployed for rescue operations and they safely moved 56 men, 26 ladies, 21 children and another 12 people.
