Thiruvananthapuram: More than 300 deaths in 17 days of August, roughly 250,000 in 1,568 relief camps across all 14 districts, numerous people trapped in their homes desperately looking for rescue teams to spot them, homes and other assets washed away, and road, power and other infrastructure severely wrecked.
That was the balance sheet of Kerala on Friday, if it were to take stock of the devastating 17 days in August.
Friday, incidentally, marks the first day of the month of Chingam on the Malayalam calendar, which traditionally brings cheer to Keralites as they begin preparations for the Onam festival. This year, the state government has officially ordered cancellation of Onam festivities.
On Friday, there was a red alert for 13 of Kerala’s 14 districts, with Kasaragod being the exception.
Defence forces to the rescue
India’s army, navy and air force teams have been pressed into rescue efforts across Kerala in increased numbers this week. Helicopters were criss-crossing the most affected districts of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Alappuzha on Friday, trying to airlift individuals and groups of people who were left stranded on house balconies and terraces as water levels shot up.
Defence forces have asked people to wave red or white cloths while waiting for helicopter rescue, to help pilots to spot them more easily.
Besides the defence personnel, there are also 39 teams of the National Disaster Rescue Force assisting in the rescue work. Another 14 teams of the NDRF are expected shortly.
The rescue forces have saved an estimated 4,000 people from various buildings.
Trapped in homes, institutions
Tens of thousands of people are believed to be trapped in buildings, particularly in high rise buildings. Trapped families have been sending videos of their helpless condition to the helpline number provided by the state government, but many have complained that the rescue teams are yet to reach them.
In Aranmula in Pathanamthitta district, over two dozen students of an engineering college have been trapped in their hostel, while dozens more students are marooned in educational institution buildings in the Aluva-Angamaly-Perumbavur region.
CM calls for better coordination
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan appreciated the work of disaster relief teams and ordinary volunteers, but also opined that operations in some areas could have been better.
He made the comment to revenue department officials. Vijayan felt there was a lack of coordination in some areas, and also felt that the helicopters could have been pressed into service earlier.
The shortage of helicopters was first felt in the rescue operations in Pathanamthitta district, where rescue boats could not reach many people who were trapped on their terraces or balconies.
Dams stay full
Major dams in the state continued to be near full, particularly Idukki and Mullaperiyar. Idukki, the largest hydel project in the state, had a water level in excess of 2,402 feet, more than two feet of water beyond its recommended storage level, while the Mullaperiyar dam held nearly 142 feet of water, which is its maximum permitted level.
Gates of 33 dams in the state remain open, which in turn have kept the water levels at alarming levels in low-lying areas, particularly Aluva and Kuttanad.
Fishermen turn heroes
In Pathanamthitta district, dozens of fishermen who have arrived from Neendakara and other parts of Kollam district have turned heroes over the past few days, helping rescue hundreds of people marooned in their homes. The fishermen have come with their boats, which they brought to the flood-affected areas on trucks. Nearly 35 fishing boats are in operation in rescue efforts in different districts, and the fishermen are estimated to have saved 1,200 people so far, most of them in Pathanamthitta district.
Silver linings
While the rescue and relief operations continued to present massive challenges to the state government, there were silver linings too on Friday. The skies cleared from the morning, and in most places the weather was good, aiding rescue and relief work. In Muvattupuzha and Ranni, water levels reported drops. Reports also indicate that the low pressure near Odisha which has been a major cause for the rains in Kerala, may be moving to Madhya Pradesh.
