Kochi: Residents along the coastal line which was hit by tidal surge in the last two days resorted to protest demanding compensation among others even as high tides subsided on Sunday with people start returning to houses from rehabilitation camps. Local residents staged protests at Chellanam which bore the brunt of the sea attack, raising demands including monetary compensation and immediate clean up works to prevent outbreak of epidemic.
The protest, which lasted for over an hour, was finally withdrawn after higher officials including the deputy collector and the tehsildar reached the spot and assured of action. “Nearly 300 houses in nine wards were damaged or waterlogged, raising concerns of a health crisis. Urgent intervention is required to repair damaged septic tanks and muddied drinking water sources,” said K D Prasad, Vice-president, Chellanam Gram Panchayat.
The Coast Guard rescued nearly 50 fishermen from rough seas on Sunday. A Coast Guard vessel ICGS Aryaman rescued 19 fishermen who had gone to sea in two Tamil Nadu registered fishing vessels- Bible and Arokya, and brought them to Chellanam. The boats were located about 60 nautical miles South West off Kochi and all the fishermen were natives of Kulachil in Tamil Nadu.
Similarly, Coast Guard vessel ICGS Abhinav rescued five fishermen, all Keralites, on board fishing vessel ‘Joyal’ and brought them to Beypore. Further, the vessel ‘Amarthya’ rescued 22 fishermen on board boat ‘Thatvamasi’ after locating it about 25 nautical miles off Beypore and assisted them to safety. Meanwhile Health Minister K K Shailaja said all efforts will be taken to prevent outbreak of epidemic on coastal regions. While seven houses were completely destroyed, 369 others were partially wrecked.
“Septic tanks of many of these households have leakages and the same have to be addressed on a warfooting. Directions have been given to clean up drains and to chlorinate the area. Food safety wing will test the drinking water being supplied at these areas,” she said after a review meet. The minister said a total of 115 unregistered boats which have left the coast off Kochi for fishing are yet to return.
