Kodagu Floods: 6 dead; Thousands stranded

Team Udayavani, Aug 18, 2018, 4:06 PM IST

• Rescue ops continue as many trek through forests to safety in a state of shock
• 2569 people rescued, additionally 34 ganji kendras have been reopened

Kodagu: Thousands are stranded at high-ground areas and are waiting to be rescued even as multi-agency rescue operations are underway at Madikeri in Kodagu. At least 6 people are feared dead following incessant rains in the region.

“Most of the bodies were found buried due to landslide so, be it with vehicle or on foot we have to be careful on every path we tread and obviously for the same reason the night rescue operation is limited,” explained a rescuer.

Many survivors trekked through forest areas and reached safety zones, however, most of them were in a state of shock unable to cope with the distress of missing loved ones or losing their home and belongings.

“A few people have been repeatedly crying and pleading asking about their aged-mother, sibling, father and some their children, who reportedly went missing during the daunting trek,” said a a medical help at makeshift rehabilitation centre at Madikeri.

“One of the groups that contacted me told us that the health condition of about 30 people at Mukkodlu hillocks is deteriorating and require immediate attention and need to be airlifted. In fact I was told that a 3-year old with the group lost his life unable to cope up with the brazen weather condition,” informed a local reporter describing the distress the affected people going through.

A rescuer with the State NDRF said that thousands of employees at the coffee plantation were stranded braving the continued rain and cold in the hinterland areas of Kottamudi, Galibeedu, Karnangeri, Katakeri, Mukkodlu.

“As a natural instinct, the residents had taken high-ground over a period of time. But now they have been surrounded by water, which has washed away any motorable road or path that existed in the area, leaving us with no trail to pursuit. Until lately only 2 air-units was available with us, it did not give us much flexibility to undertake rescue operation,” added a rescuer.

More than 3159 people are awaiting rescue at Somavarpet and Virajpet. Overwhelmed by the frequent calls of the families of flood affected, coupled with shortage of manpower – the helpline centres coordinating rescue efforts are not receiving SOS calls of victims, further aggravating the matter, informed a news reporter.

Rescue operation

Meanwhile, 60 personnel of Dogra regiment, 73 personnel of Indian army and Engineering task force, 12 Navy expert divers and 275 personnel from SDRF, Civil Defence and Fire and Rescue have begun their operations in the region.

On Friday due to inclement weather condition, the Indian Airforce was compelled to call off it operation; however it commenced its airlift operation on Saturday with M17 Helicopters. But owing to the unfamiliar terrain, rescue officials are heavily relying on local people and media personnel to identify the areas that require immediate attention.

Kodagu District in-Charge Minister SR Mahesh spoke to the media and said that while  emergency services have rescued 2569 people and are rehabilitating them at shelter-homes, additionally 34 ganji kendras have been reopened. Efforts to restore the communication lines are ongoing and technical teams of telecom and mobile service providers have arrived to ensure connectivity, added Mr. Mahesh.

Meanwhile power-outage, fuel-shortage and cash shortage at ATMs has disrupted life of locals.