Kozhikode/Kottayam : Malabar which was battered by the rain has started returning to normal with the rain receding and people in relief camps going back to their homes which need massive cleaning to make them habitable.
Volunteer groups have taken up cleaning the slush- filled houses with anti-septic lotions, gloves and bleaching powder. Skilled teams are rejuvenating the wells.
Potable water is being supplied to meet the acute scarcity. Medical institutions and the social justice department have arranged counselling for the returned people.
Cattle had perished in Kozhikode, Mavoor and Peruvayal areas and there is a problem in burying the carcass scientifically to prevent epidemic. "A protocol has been developed as per the national disaster management guidelines and the burial should be done in an isolated place keeping a minimum of 300 feet off water bodies," said Dr P. P. Bineesh, vet at Kotoor veterinary dispensary.
As many as 10,066 people are in the 81 camps in Kozhikode. Four of them were sent back late in the evening. According to district collector U.V. Jose, the losses will be estimated after the cleaning activities.
As on Monday, Kozhikode received only 7.6 mm rain. Wayanad received 18.6 mm rain. A total of 487 houses were partially damaged and 7,394 people are in 185 camps. Only 980 are in four camps in Kannur. The crop loss in the district has been estimated at Rs 5 crore since August 9 and Rs 24.62 crore later.
Poor toilet facility in Kottayam camps
The 110 persons who are accommodated at the CNI LP School, Chalukunnu relief camp have enough space for them to stay, but they have only one toilet.
The people who are staying at the relief camp at the school have been provided sponsored food. There are also facilities to cook food. The inmates on Monday had breakfast including porotta, meals for lunch and meals again for dinner. However, some of the inmates with whom Deccan Chronicle interacted said that they have not complaints.
The relief camp organised at the Kottayam CMS College has 320 inmates from nearby areas. At least three to four families were accommodated at each class room of the College.
The cooking of food materials was held at the college mess where the food materials were mostly sponsored.
