Pathanamthitta, 03 August (H.S.):
With heavy rain continuing to batter Pathanamthitta district, Minister P.C. Vishnunath on Monday urged residents in vulnerable areas to cooperate with the authorities and move to relief camps immediately, warning that the district was facing an extremely serious flood situation.
Vishnunath cautioned people against remaining in their homes under the assumption that they could take shelter on terraces if floodwaters rose. Rooftops should not be considered safe during severe flooding, he said, appealing to families in low-lying and flood-prone areas to shift to designated relief camps without delay.
The minister had issued a similar appeal on Sunday amid fears of flash floods following intense rainfall. Authorities have stepped up public warnings, with vehicles fitted with loudspeakers moving through vulnerable areas and asking residents to evacuate.
Ranni and Aranmula are once again facing a serious flood threat as rivers and water bodies swell following incessant rain. Officials are also closely monitoring the Moozhiyar dam, which could be opened at any time depending on inflows and the water level.
Additional fishing boats have been sent from Kollam to Pathanamthitta to strengthen rescue and evacuation operations in areas that could become inaccessible by road.
Meanwhile, the Sabarimala temple has been opened for the annual Niraputhari festival. However, in view of the worsening weather and safety concerns, pilgrims will not be permitted to proceed to Sabarimala until conditions improve.
The flood situation has also deteriorated sharply in Upper Kuttanad. Low-lying areas of Kuttoor, Peringara, Nedumpuram, Niranam, Kadapra and parts of Thiruvalla municipality have been inundated.
Hundreds of houses have been left isolated by rising floodwaters. Following relentless overnight rain, authorities evacuated several families from vulnerable localities and shifted them to relief camps as rescue and disaster-response teams remained on high alert.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
