Public transport
systems were either damaged or blocked. Bus services from Balussery to
Kozhikode were cancelled when the road became submerged in rain water. Train
services were delayed and re-scheduled in some parts of Kerala. Railway
track bed of 30m stretch at Mambra in Koratty near Trissur was swept away by
rain. This delayed rail traffic for six hours, resulted in rescheduling of
some trains and cancellation of some short distance trains.
Normal life came to a
stand still for three days. Roads and bridges were damaged due to the flood.
Electricity, communication facilities like posts, telephone and Internet
were also disrupted. Shops and schools were closed in the flood affected
areas.
The heavy rain caused
a loss of 87 crores in Kozhikode district alone, according to authorities.
Agricultural loss in 6 districts were to the tune of 27 crores. The loss on
account of damaged roads was Rs.21 crores.
Landslides have
become a common factor in hilly areas of Calicut, especially Pasukadavu –
Kuttiyadi region. Famous tourist spot at Nelliampathy became isolated as
access roads were washed off by heavy rains. Landslides were reported from
seven areas of Kannur district also.
The repeated
landslides in northern districts during monsoon have become a nightmare for
the residents of hilly region. Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) has
already initiated a study to ascertain the cause of rain-related calamities
in Wayanad district.
Union Minister of
State for Home, Mullappally Ramachandran visited Nadapuram, Pasukadavu,
Kavilumpara, Azhiyur and Edacheri. State Minister Binoy Viswam also visited
the flood-hit areas of Kozhikode district. Kozhikode District Collector, Dr.
P.B. Salim; local political leaders and panchayat presidents of flood-hit
areas accompanied the ministers.
Mullappally
Ramachandran said the centre was actively considering the formation of a
unit of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in Kerala, permanently to
tackle disastrous situations. The Arakkonam battalion of NDRF led by
P.S.B.Nair rescued 106 people during recent floods in Malabar region.
The deployment of
Rapid Action Force and Army in rescue operations was timely, commented
Opposition leader Oomen Chandy. They had intervened successfully to help
isolated victims of the deluge.
Projects to the tune
of Rs.400 crores is being prepared to be submitted for Central Assistance,
under the Calamity Mitigation Programme for rehabilitation of people from
calamity prone areas. This was said by Revenue Minister for State, K.P.
Rajendran.
Presently 82 relief
camps were opened mostly in schools. There is a proposal to set up 106
cyclone shelters in coastal areas and 125 shelters in hilly areas to
rehabilitate people from disaster prone areas. These would function as
community living centres at other times.
UNDP technical team
led by Ajith Chacko has submitted a detailed impact assessment report to
avail emergency assistance from the Natural Calamity Contingency Fund at the
Centre.
The Assembly Subject
Committee on Land, Revenue, Forest and Fisheries has called for a
comprehensive disaster mitigation package for coastal areas of Kerala.
The House Panel also suggested a standard operating procedure
applicable to all departments involved in disaster mitigation such as
Revenue, Fisheries, Local Self Government, Police, Fire Force, Forest,
Public works, Information, Electricity, and Harbour Engineering etc.
