The flood situation continues to be grim in the low-lying areas of Pathanamthitta bordering Alappuzha, leaving many families stranded in their isolated homes for the third consecutive day on Sunday.
The village of Pandanad located on the borders of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, the Upper Kuttanad villages of Niranom, Kadapra, Nedumpram and Peringara, and surrounding areas still remain inundated. All roads are submerged in flood waters.
The water started receding from the upper reaches at a very small pace from Saturday. This, coupled with the heavy outflow from the Kakki and Pampa reservoirs, has further worsened the situation in the Upper Kuttanad villages.
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Social media were flooded with distress calls and audio clips of the kin of those people stranded in the flood-affected areas. Separate teams of the Indian Army, NDRF, Fire and Rescue Services and local people continued rescue operations. As many as 75,451 people have been shifted to 515 relief camps opened in different parts of the district. District Collector P.B. Noohu said the administration had made elaborate arrangements for distribution of food and water there.
Adoor would be the main food hub from where supply of food and water to the affected areas could be carried out in a better way, he said.
BPCL chief general manger P. Peethambaran said the company had taken steps to avert any shortage of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas in the flood-hit areas. Mr. Peethambaran said the company would utilise the water transport facility for reaching LPG cylinders to the interior reaches.
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Bodies found
Bodies of two persons, identied as K.P. Aneesh, 33, of Mullamikkad, and Pradeep Kumar, 47, of Muttathukonam were found floating in the flood waters on Sunday. The body of Pradeekumar was found at Thumbamonkadavu and that of Aneesh in the floods, official sources said.
Revenue sources told The Hindu that two unidentified bodies were found at Kallumkal near Thiruvalla and one at Chathankery. The death toll might cross horrifying figures, sources said.
Meanwhile, the local people started post-flood cleaning drive in Ranni town on Sunday.
Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said a a one-month master plan would be prepared for post-flood healthcare and sanitation in the district. Ms. Shylaja said a central control room would be opened at the District Medical Office here soon. She was reviewing the flood relief operations in the district at an official meeting held at the collectorate on Sunday.