After days of flooding and very strong currents of water flowing through the roads, Chengannur is finally seeing some light. The water level has reduced and the roads have slightly opened up, making it easier for rescue workers to reach people who are stranded as well as the relief camps.
“A lot of good work was done today. We took jeeps and big Torres tipper lorries filled with materials for the relief camps. We have been able to supply them at every village and relief camp in the area,” says Jobin, Deputy Tahsildar.
However, when after a lot of difficulties the people in rural areas were reached, those stranded in their houses refuse to come along.
“They’d first ask us if the water level has come down and if the dams were opened again. When we say no, the dams are closed and the water has come down, they tell us they are not coming to the camps and would prefer to stay in the upper floors of their house. Now that they know from official sources that the situation has gotten better, they don’t feel the need to leave the safety of their home,” adds Jobin.
Jobin feels that security could be the reason that stops people from leaving their home. “There has been an issue of people’s houses being robbed once they leave for the rescue camps. Also, girls and women perhaps fear the security at camps. But we have arranged police protection at camps and there are also the lights of the Army,” he says.
The families could not come down to their lower floors yet as the entire place and the items would be covered in silt, Jobin figures.
Sources say that in areas such as Pandanad and Puliyoor, water still reaches up to a person’s hip, and many people are still stranded on the upper floors of their two-floor houses. The Army could reach them today with food, water and clothes but they would not go along with the rescue teams.