more-in Emergency restoration work taken up by the Army is in progress at Kannappankundu where multiple landslips last week caused severe damage to several houses. Though the damaged bridge across the overflowing Kannappankundu river is yet to be set right, the blocked stretches of the river have been cleared. A stream formed by the swollen river has dried up, relieving residents’ fears. The damaged power supply lines in several villages are yet to be repaired. Residents who were relocated will continue to stay in the two relief camps for a few more days. Since the weather forecast has signalled heavy rainfall, the Revenue authorities have advised residents to remain in the camps. Noticing a tendency among outsiders to flock to flood-hit areas, Army men and local rescue coordinators have blocked the entrances to relief work sites. Police personnel too are camping at the spot and helping men at work, besides managing the crowd. Thanks to rescue squads, most affected families have shifted their valuables from the damaged houses to safer locations. “Though the houses are all safe now, people are apprehensive of a second wave of flood in the wake of an unfavourable weather forecast. No one has attempted to clean up the houses as there is no certainty about a favourable weather,” said Joseph, a settler farmer. He added that it would take at least a week for families to clean up houses filled with floating waste and wreckage. Members of Puthuppady panchayat said they would ensure that the affected families got a deserving compensation from the State government. As the damage to most houses was severe, a meagre compensation will not do, they said, adding that the support of charitable organisations and individuals too would be sought. According to preliminary estimate, the district suffered a loss of ?50 crore. Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) carried out road repair work at Kakkayam on Sunday. Entry of sightseers was restricted to the tourism site. Officials said roads would be ready for traffic in two days. The repair work on the Thamarassery Ghat Road too was carried out by the PWD.

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