Relentless rain has cut off Kothamangalam taluk on the eastern fringes of the district from the rest of Ernakulam. Most of Kuttampuzha panchayat, bordering Idukki district, are flooded and at least a 100 adivasi families in Pinavoorkkudi have been cut off from the rest of the district.
Perakkudi, Thalavachapara, Kunjippara, Uriampetty and Variamkkudy are now marooned because of the rains.
Aniyappan, a villager in Urulanthanni, said people in his village were unable even to go out for collecting bamboo, their mainstay. “If we collect bamboo we get enough money to buy food but the past week has been a difficult one”.
ADVERTISEMENT
President of the Kuttampuzha panchayat C.J. Eldhos said the situation was quite grim in most parts of the panchayat, which has a large adivasi population. They have not been getting their ration of rice over the last three weeks because of the rains.
The situation on the fringes of the taluk is highlighted by the fact that Kothamangalam, the gateway to the High Ranges, is cut off from Ernakulam and Munnar after rainwater flooded major roads.
The Blavana-Pooyamkutty road has been hit by landslip at several places and the Manikandalchal bridge that links the Adivasi colonies to the rest of Ernakulam district is flooded, preventing any road traffic.
ADVERTISEMENT
Residents of Manikandanchal are crossing the Kuttampuzha river in country boats that are constantly under threat from fast flowing waters. Residents in Urulanthanni are constantly under the threat of floods.
At least a 100 km of roads in the taluk are affected by flooding, and traffic to Munnar has been diverted through Thattekkad and Neriamangalam, ahead of which a landslip has held up all traffic.
Roads at four point in Kothamangalam town are flooded, forcing diversion of traffic. Trade and business within the Kothamangalam town has been held up on Monday because of the rains and flooding.