With the recurrence of flood in a gap of nearly a fortnight, people of Kuttanad are in dire straits as houses, paddy fields and roads are submerged in water, throwing normal life out of gear.
Kunjumon, 45, of Thottukadavil in 12th ward of Kainakary grama panchayat died after he fell off the cot into the water-logged floor of his house. A total of 74 relief camps are now functioning in the district, out of which 59 camps are in Kuttanad.
Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash who visited the flood-affected parts of Kuttanad on Friday said that an additional Rs.13 crore would be sanctioned for the district based on the report submitted by District Collector N. Padmakumar. He said that instructions in this regard had been given to the Revenue Secretary.
“Availability of fund is not a hindrance. The government will ensure all help,” he said.
He asked the District Collector to make available all essential items to the relief camps and employ medical teams. The Minister said that already Rs. 34 crore had been given to face the monsoon calamities. A total of Rs.15.18 crore has been allotted for roads. “The government has given Rs 1.5 crore for disbursing essential items in relief camps. A total of Rs. 6.5 lakh has been given to the family of Ponnappan of Kuttummel whose house was destroyed after a bund breach in Arupanku in the Kainakary grama panchayat. The district collectors of Kottayam and Alappuzha have been asked to submit projects to face flood calamities in future,” he said.
He said that Rs. five lakh would be disbursed to strengthen the outer bund of Moolapongapara paddy polder in Mankombu.
The Alappuzha-Changanassery (AC) road has been flooded at a couple of places making traffic extremely difficult in these areas. Most of the interior roads connecting the AC road are also flooded.
