ALAPPUZHA: District collector T. V. Anupama visited the R Block of Kuttanad inundated by rainwater.
More than 50 houses are now under water here, and farmers have abandoned cultivation.
The houses were on the outer bund flooded as the water level in the Kayal rose. Residents have shifted to homes of relatives.
The collector said a meeting at collectorate would discuss their issues on Monday.
"Officials of various departments will participate in the meeting, and formulate a project. It will examine the possibility of dewatering polders and shifting residents to other areas," she said.
District panchayat president G. Venugopal also accompanied her.
The children, majority of them belonging to SC community, are worst-affected as they have no boat services to go to school. Their mothers are taking them there covering 2 km on foot and often reaching late.
"The local administration is helpless. The State Water Transport Department conducts daily services in the area," said S. Sudhimon, former president of the Kainakary grama panchayat. "People have raised the issue before several officers and politicians, but to no avail, and the misery of children continues. I have asked the ward member to ensure they go to school," he says.
On January 16 last year Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had asked the SWTD to start services for students to reach schools on time.
