KOCHI: With the floodwater receding, the focus has shifted to reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, including cleaning up of wells, plumbing and electrical works, among other things. Rebuilding will be costly as demand for people doing such works have hit new highs.With several wells getting filled up with slush, cleaning them up can cost up to Rs 15,000 for each one.PK Kuttan, a Koonamthai native who has been cleaning at least 40 wells every summer, said he has been getting several calls requesting to clean up wells.“Small wells, which are not much deep, can be cleaned at a rate of around Rs 2,000 each. However, in the case of bigger wells, the risk is high,” said Kuttan.However, he added that it was unwise to clean wells before summer. “Now, the sand would be wet and they could collapse. On Tuesday, I received a call from Kalamassery. A cat was found dead in a well. I used a motor to pump out about 5feet of water after taking out the carcass. Now, chlorine and potassium permanganate will be sprinkled at regular intervals. I have advised them not to opt for a complete clean-up now though they insisted,” he said. He said various precautions are taken before cleaning a well.“A lit candle, placed in a basket, is lowered into the bottom of the well using a pulley to check oxygen availability. We would venture into the well only if the candle stays lit. There is always a chance of collapse. It is a risky job,” said Kuttan.Sanoj Joseph, an electrician at Udayamperoor, said electrical repair works for an inundated 3-bedroom house could cost up to Rs 20,000.“The wiring would be safe but switches, including the main switch board, would’ve been damaged, if the water had risen above it. We could use cheaper products to bring the cost down. But if the house owner is opting for better, branded materials, then prices will shoot up,” he said.He added it wouldn’t be practical to offer such services completely free. “It is our job and we have to support our family. It would take at least a couple of days to fix one house and free service would render us without an income,” he said.Meanwhile, several organisations have been planning to provide free services as well.Parishioners of Bethel Sulocko Church at Kalady have formed a volunteer group for cleaning up floodhit houses. “We have purchased the required gears and equipment. We are planning to clean flood-affected houses free of charge,” said Fr Eldhose Palakunnel, the vicar.Fixall, an online platform providing handymen services, including plumbing, electrical works, masonry, and refrigerator repair, among other things, has also been preparing to pitch in.“Currently, we are facing a shortage of handymen, due to the floods . We will devise a comprehensive plan to provide manpower to floodhit areas soon,” said Ligil John, founder of Fixall.Meanwhile, Quickkerala.com, an online business directory, has started compiling information about service providers willing to provide free services.“We have been getting calls from those providing various services like carpentry, plumbing, electrical works etc after we floated an ad in a newspaper. We have already received about 100 calls and we are planning to connect these persons with the needy,” said an official with the online service.

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