more-in As a swollen Periyar flows around, hundreds of civilians stranded in their homes in Aluva are awaiting rescue, with many of them reaching out frantically on social media. “We have lost hope,” said Atul P.R., the resignation evident in his voice as he spoke over the phone on Friday evening. “No one will come for our help.” According to the 22-year-old, he is one of the 50 people gathered on the terrace of a two-storey house in Aluva’s East Kadungalloor since the morning of August 16. The group has not had access to either food or water. Hollow promises “We have been waving to passing boats and helicopters flying around, but we don’t know if they are even seeing us,” he said. “We have tried all emergency phone numbers and are told that we will be rescued in an hour, but it has not happened. And now, if the water rises further, we will die.” Meanwhile, those who were rescued were taken to relief camps such as those at Union Christian College, Aluva. However, resources are being stretched to their limits. The five camps located in the vicinity began functioning as the water rose on August 15. The camps are surrounded by water and are only accessible by boat or large trucks. They host anywhere between 4,000 and 5,000 people, said a source. “It feels like we are on an island,” said a woman who coordinates arrangements at a camp. “Since accessibility is an issue, we have difficulty getting food and water.” There is no medical attention for pregnant women. There is no power too. The failure of officials to oversee relief work has been a huge setback, she added. A few students and teachers from a college are overseeing rescue efforts now, with non-governmental organisations pitching in. The five relief camps functioning at Kalamassery accommodating around 3,000 people are facing a huge resource crunch now, said Bruce Mathew who had been at a camp at the Kalamassery Government High School since Friday morning. “We need clothes and toiletries, and we are trying to arrange for them,” he said. “There is also shortage of cooking gas cylinders and drinking water.” Apart from a lack of round-the-clock medical support, water seeping from the waste dumped in the area near the camp too is a concern, he added.

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