A sense of agony prevailed at the relief camps as those shifted from the troubled coastal areas stared at an uncertain future. There were also claims of inadequate arrangements that were voiced by some at these camps.
Albert, who has relocated to the St. Thomas School, Poonthura, along with his family, is concerned for his house and belongings. “We did not ponder much under the conditions that prevailed. We fled from our houses with our children along with a few essentials. All our lives’ savings are in our houses. We would have relocated to the houses of our relatives, along with our belongings, if the authorities had provided us prior information. Not many are hopeful of finding our houses in the situation we had left them,” he says.
Albert is one among the many who have been panic-stricken over reports that over 50 houses have been fully damaged and close to 170 partially damaged along the coastline of the district. They claim that even those houses that were located in the third and fourth lines from the shore have been affected by the strong waves that have lashed the coastline.
There were also those who alleged that the district administration has failed to provide decent living conditions at the relief camps. They claimed that many, including children, were forced to sleep on floors without sheets and were also left with very few utensils.
Refuting the allegations, Additional District Magistrate John V. Samuel said that no efforts have been spared in ensuring the welfare of those who have been shifted to the temporary camps. “All possible facilities have been ensured. Besides providing food packets in plentiful numbers, other essentials such as mats and sheets have been supplied. Paramedical staff have been deployed at each camps, along with ensuring adequate quantity of medicines. In addition, health inspectors have been entrusted with maintaining proper sanitation at the facilities,” he said.
Close to 2,000 people have been currently temporarily rehabilitated at eight relief camps. Camps have been opened at St. Thomas School in Poonthura (350 persons), Government UPS in Beemapally (263), Valiyathura UP School (80), Fisheries godown at Muttathara (8), Government Model UPS in Konchiravila (38), Government HS in Vazhamuttom (130), St. Mary’s HSS in Neyyattinkara (275) and St. Mary’s HSS in Kottappuram (779).
