Alappuzha: The flood situation in Alappuzha remains grim with the meteorological department issuing an orange alert for Tuesday. The district administration declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, on Tuesday.
Achan Kovil and Pampa rivers are in spate due to the increased flow of water from upstream districts. Many low-lying places on the banks have been inundated.
As many as 77 relief camps were opened in Chengannur, Ambala-ppuzha, Karthikapally, Cherthala and Kuttanad taluks accommodating at least 11,507 people till Monday evening.
At least 55 were camps opened in Chengannur alone. Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said that temporary bunds with sandbags would be constructed with 25-metre width in Kainakary panchayat, where two bunds were breached.
The dewatering works can be started only when the water level in the rivers comes down, the minister said.
PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran said that all arrangements had been made to flow water smoothly through Thottapally estuary and Thanneermukkom bund. The district authorities have been asked to remove sand deposited on either side of the estuary.
Mr . Sudhakaran visited various relief camps in the district.
District collector Dr. Adeela Abdulla said that 12 more pump sets available with irrigation department will be handed over to Padasekhara samithis to speed up dewatering.
