As Kerala is yet to recover from the damages caused by the deluge in August, Gaja, the cyclonic storm that wreaked havoc in some Tamil Nadu districts, destroyed nearly 160 houses in various panchayats of Alappuzha district. The cyclone has affected villages of Cherthala taluk in Alappuzha, including as Thaikatussery, Vayalar, Ezhupunna, Mararikkulam and Panavally. However, Thaikkatussery village has sustained severe damages.
According to reports, in Thaikkatussery, as many as 156 houses have been partially destroyed and 11 houses have been fully destroyed in the cyclonic storm and the loss would amount to crores. School buildings, too, have been damaged. However, speaking to TNM, Alappuzha district collector S Suhas said, “As per the preliminary estimate, while nine houses in Thaikkatussery have been severely affected in the cyclone, other houses have been affected. We have been following the guidelines of the State Disaster Management Authority and have taken necessary precautionary steps.”
The district administration is yet to assess the damage. The collector added that the assessment will be done before November 20.
The cyclone has affected the supply of electricity in the village, which is yet to be restored completely. As many as 152 electric posts in the village were uprooted in the cyclonic storm. Water supply, which was affected after Gaja hit the area, has now been restored. The roads on which movement of vehicles was hit after trees fell, have been cleared, according to the district administration.
The district administration, meanwhile, has issued a warning for fishermen to not venture into the sea till November 20.
Landslides, mudslides and other damages were reported on Friday in various parts of Idukki district, where the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) had issued an orange alert for November 16, after heavy rain lashed in various parts of Kerala when Gaja made landfall in Tamil Nadu.
Yellow alert was issued in three districts on November 15, namely Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki. On November 16, four districts, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Alappuzha, had yellow alert, while Idukki was on orange alert. KSDMA said that Kerala would likely receive heavy rainfall due to Gaja, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.