Life in kuttanad far cry from normal

  • | Sunday | 16th September, 2018

Those who have relatives in Alappuzha town stay there during the night. Our only relief is the continuous service of water transport department boats from Kuttanad to Alappuzha town,’’ said 58-year-old Sunni Joseph, a fisherman from Kainakary. ALAPPUZHA: 18-month-old Amrita Nanda broke into a dance as the boat that would take her to her home in Kainakary left Matha jetty in Alappuzha town on Friday evening. Officials said only 163 people from 54 families are residing in relief camps.Some parts of Kainakary panchayat are still flooded and people are facing shortage of potable water. People also highlighted the absence of cots and beds and presence of snakes.Officials said they are operating 159 gruel centers for 13,530 people in Kuttanad.

ALAPPUZHA: 18-month-old Amrita Nanda broke into a dance as the boat that would take her to her home in Kainakary left Matha jetty in Alappuzha town on Friday evening. It brought instant cheer to the commuters who encouraged her. Most of them were on their way back to flood-hit homes with essential items like stoves to start life afresh.Amrita, who has undergone a heart surgery, and her parents hailing from a poor family of Kainakary, had seen death on close quarters on August 17 when flood waters reached their home.Almost two lakh people have now returned to their homes in Kuttanad region. Officials said only 163 people from 54 families are residing in relief camps.Some parts of Kainakary panchayat are still flooded and people are facing shortage of potable water. Sanitation is also an issue as toilets are not functional because of waterlogging. There are several homes that are not habitable and needs further cleaning. People also highlighted the absence of cots and beds and presence of snakes.Officials said they are operating 159 gruel centers for 13,530 people in Kuttanad. The facility will be provided till the families are able to cook food in their homes. Many flood victims said they are yet to receive the initial financial aid of Rs 10,000 announced by the government.“We are yet to receive the initial compensation of Rs 10,000. My neighbour received it. Neither the village officer nor the ward member knows when the money would come. Bank officials are also in the dark,” said Annamma Roy from Kainakary. Finance minister T M Thomas Isaac had promised the Kuttanad people that all of them would get the amount within September 5.“Cleaning activities are not complete and panchayats are not taking steps to distribute potable water. Those who have relatives in Alappuzha town stay there during the night. Our only relief is the continuous service of water transport department boats from Kuttanad to Alappuzha town,’’ said 58-year-old Sunni Joseph, a fisherman from Kainakary.

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