By Shankar Raj*
Thiruvananthapuram: All it needed was one night’s rain to ‘drown’ four major cities, including the Capital, nose-deep under water, exposing the lack of maintenance due to the non-release of funds by the government. The toll in rain-related deaths so far has crossed 15. There have also been outbreaks of jaundice and dengue in many areas across the state, resulting in 10 deaths so far.
The government blamed the local corporations, the corporations blamed the contractors, and the contractors blamed the railways and other authorities even as the people in many parts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode had to face the brunt.
Water entered many houses and shops in these cities causing hardships and huge losses. Even the famous temple town of Guruvayur was not spared and the pilgrim town ‘floated’ in ankle-deep water.
In many areas, the roads caved in resulting in tree falls, leading to traffic jams that lasted over 4 hours.
Three Air India Express flights from the Karipur International Airport in Kozhikode had to be cancelled due to heavy rainfall.
In Kochi, several roads and institutions including hospitals, faced a flood-like situation and many areas including the MG Road and Kochi Infopark were badly affected, leaving many techies stranded for hours.
In Thrissur, Aswini Hospital was inundated resulting in damages worth lakhs. Several wards of Kozhikode Medical College faced water stagnation, and the Nadakkavu National Highway was damaged. Many families had to be relocated.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Ernakulam and Thrissur for the next two days Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad have been put under orange alert.
These cities may witness heavy rain, ranging from 6 cm to 20 cm leading to waterlogging and major traffic disruptions are expected.
