With the rains creating havoc in various parts of Ernakulam district on Sunday, the Kochi district administration has set up relief camps in the differents taluks of the district.
Speaking to TNM, an official from the Kochi Disaster Control Room said that they have set up around 15 relief camps in various taluks like Kothamangalam, Kochi, Muvattupuzha.
“We have relocated the families from these flood affected areas to these relief camps and have provided them with food and water,” said the official from the Disaster Control Room.
He also went on to say that the extent of damages caused because of the rains can only be confirmed later.
Vinod, an official at the Kochi taluk told TNM, “There are around 1,400 persons who are relocated to the relief camps at Chellanam, another 50 persons at the camp in Palluruthy, over 40 persons at the relief camp in Puthuvype.”
On Sunday, heavy rains and winds resulted in many trees being uprooted and falling on the roads of the city.
“With the help from the fire force, we are moving these trees from the roads,” Vinod added.
An official from the Kothamangalam taluk office told TNM that there are two camps set up in the taluk – in the LPS school and in the town UPS school respectively – with over 33 families being relocated to these camps.
Speaking to TNM, MLA Maxy KJ of the Kochi taluk said, “On Monday morning, various areas in the Kochi taluk were flooded, but adequate measures have been taken to rehabilitate the people and families that have been affected because of the rains.”
Revenue minister, E Chandrasekharan told media, “We have held meetings with District Collectors of all districts. They have apprised me about the measures they have taken in their districts. Relief camps have been opened in all districts. Nearly 2,800 people have already been shifted to relief camps. Collectors have been instructed to open more relief camps if necessary. In the last one week, we have had damage of Rs 8 crore across the state. Agricultural loss has also been reported from many places. I have asked for a detailed report. Doctors have been deployed in all relief camps so that possibility of communicable diseases spreading can be avoided."
According to a report by Mathrabhumi, 5 person from across the state died on Monday because of the rains. The people who died are reported to be from the districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kannur, Malappuram and Wayanad.
Many major roads in Kochi including South Railway Station road, Seaport-Airport Road, MG road, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry were flooded.
The district Disaster Management Authority has directed control rooms be opened at Kanayannur, Aluva, Kothamangalam, Kochi, Paravur and Muvattupuzha.