In troubled waters: Potholes and waterlogging add to the woes of people using the underpass of Thykoodam overbridge (top) and the KSRTC bus station (above). | Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat more-in Flooding caused by heavy rain continued to make life miserable for people in various parts of Ernakulam on Thursday even as authorities stepped up efforts to restore normalcy. Water had not receded in many places along the coast that were inundated in the rain. An official release said 5,099 persons were still housed in 49 relief camps functioning in the district. New camps were started in certain areas after the water levels went up on Thursday. The district administration remains hopeful that people can be shifted back to their homes, if the rain relents in the next two days. Paravur taluk has the highest number of relief camps – 19. As many as 2,495 persons have been shifted to camps in Eloor, Karumaloor, Kottuvalli, Kunnukara, Alangad, Puthenvelikkara, while 912 remain at camps in Chellanam and Elankunnapuzha. Nine camps are functional at Muvattupuzha while the number of camps in Kanayannur taluk is 12. The camps are functioning under the direct supervision of tahsildars and village officers. The District Medical Office has been providing medical care while the District Supply Office has been ensuring the availability of essential items in the camps. Tree falls Fire Force officials at the Gandhinagar station said a huge tree on Pipeline Road near Palarivattom fell during heavy rain on Thursday morning. Two teams from the station were involved in cutting down the branches and removing them. Sankaran Nair, 75, a resident of Onakkur near Piravom, fell into the waters from Onakkur bridge on Thursday morning. Members of the diving team from Kothamangalam fire station and Piravom police were involved in the search to find him. Bad roads and gaping potholes on major roads in the city made life tough for people. Traffic was held up at various places including Kakkanad, Thripunitura, Vyttila and Ponnurunni. Though the rain took a break till afternoon, it started intensifying towards the evening with many city areas experiencing intermittent showers.

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