Cyclone Ockhi: 220 families rehabilitated in Ernakulam

Kochi: Nearly 220 families were rehabilitated from the coastal areas of Kochi on Friday to escape the fury of the rough sea following the passage of cyclone Ockhi as Chellanam bore the brunt of a tidal wave attack. Nearly 100 houses, mainly in Puthenthodu and Baazar areas, were inundated as schools were turned into rehabilitation camps. As many as 180 families in Chellanam, 17 in Kannamaly and 18 in Edavanakadu were shifted to rehabilitation centres and all essentials including medicine and food were being made available at the camps. The service of doctors round the clock too has been ensured, the district administration authorities said.

"The sea began to invade the land from late last night. In Puthanthodu area alone, 26 houses were inundated and all the families shifted to camps. The rehabilitation centre at GHSS Puthanthodu has 96 persons now, including 79 elders and 15 children," said Saifuddhin P M, Village Officer, Puthanthodu. Another camp was opened at St Mary's Chellanam. Meanwhile, local residents claimed that nearly 200 fishing boats carrying around 2000 fishermen were yet to return. "This also includes gillnet boats which would return after 10 to 15 days once they venture into the sea for fishing. However, we have no information about whether they are safe or not post the onslaught of the cyclone. We have given a representation to the Fisheries minister to take steps to determine their whereabouts and ensure safety," said Charles George, president of Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikyavedi.

However, Collector K Muhammed Y Safirullah said all boats functioning out of Chellanam, Thoppumpaddy, Kochi and Munambam harbours are safe. The Navy, Marine Enforcement and Coastal Police are conducting searches in the sea off Kochi to find any boats registered outside the state and have met with mishaps in the rough sea, he said. Earlier the collector along with officials of departments such as the District Disaster Management visited the affected places.  "The seawall at Chellanam collapsed four years ago and the authorities are yet to rebuild it. The coastal residents are facing the wrath of the sea every year," said Milton Antony, a local resident.