A major portion of the western regions of the district have been in darkness for the last six days, after strong winds and rains uprooted electric posts and trees and threw life off track last Monday.
With the Electricity Board’s attempts to restore power supply being feeble, largely due to the technical difficulty in re-establishing over a 1,000 electric posts that were uprooted, the public mood in the region is quite volatile.
Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy, talking to The Hindu after visiting the affected areas on Saturday, said none could be blamed for the widespread damage caused by natural calamities, but the misery of the people was beyond description. With no power for six days on the run, the Water Authority has not been able to pump water, hence leading to a severe water shortage.
A majority of medical stores have been shut down since drugs that need to be kept in refrigerators were damaged. Same was the case with milk supply. There were no options to re-charge mobile phone batteries and with several telephone lines damaged by the winds, communication too had been affected.
“I have talked with Electricity Minister A.K. Balan, who has assured materials to restore the power supply. However, there are a few technical difficulties that might delay the restoration by a few more days according to him,” Mr. Chandy said.
Mr. Chandy has also suggested to District Collector P. Venugopal that free ration be supplied for two weeks to poor families, whose houses were damaged. Lorries should supply drinking water to the affected panchayats as well.
“Several houses suffered 100 per cent damage and the compensation as per relief norms would be insufficient. Hence, I have asked the Collector to include reconstruction of such houses in the EMS Housing
Scheme, which I hope will reduce the burden on the families,” Mr. Chandy said.
The areas that have been affected include Mavelikara, Charummoodu, Chunakara, Nooranad, Palamel, Vallikkunnam, Mannar, Chennithala, Chengannur, Budhanoor, Ala, Chettikulangara and Bharanikavu to name a few.
Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran, who reviewed the situation at the Mavelikara PWD Rest House, has asked the Agriculture Department to submit a final damage assessment report within two days. The Minister also said that farmers would be extended the maximum help possible by the Government.
