Sharing a bond of strength and hope in distress

Civilian volunteer groups help rescue hundreds of marooned people in flood-hit Aluva

The volunteer rescue boat that ventured into flooded Aluva on August 16 had a motley crew of four fishers, two bank employees and a software engineer.

The unlikely group was part of a mostly disorganised but highly effective non-State-controlled civilian effort that saved hundreds marooned on homes and apartments abutting the Periyar. The disaster had overwhelmed the government’s disaster response resources. Public-minded citizens had stepped in to assist.

Suresh and Jithesh, both bank employees, had launched the private rescue effort like several others, to save their stranded friends and colleagues. Like others of their ilk, they ended up saving scores of total strangers.

Hari, a software engineer, hitch-hiked from Bengaluru. He met Father Rajasekharan, vicar of St. Nicholas Church at Puthiyathura, a coastal hamlet 27 km from Thiruvananthapuram, on August 16. The priest immediately summoned the laity and chose three boats and their crew, all experienced seafaring fishers, to join the private rescue effort. The friends transported the crew and equipment to Ernakulam in three hired trucks. One group went to Arattupuzha.

In Aluva, the boats navigated through roads that had transformed into gushing rivers.

Robin Francis, 32-year-old fisher on the team, said the vessel’s hull grated against submerged cars, walls and gates.

At an apartment complex, the rescuers found the community had survived by rationing food and water. Their toilets had backed up, and many used flooded rooms as toilets.

The rescue group worked long and gruelling hours. By August 19, they had rescued hundreds of residents. With the waters receding, the teams shifted to supplying relief. The team members said the experience had bonded them for life. “We are now a band of brothers,” Robin said.