Kerala Floods: Fishermen Save Thousands in Kerala

GUWAHATI: A group of fishermen, risking their own lives have been attempting to reach out many thousands awaiting rescue in flood-hit Kerala.

Despite continuing downpour across Kerala, these groups of heroic fishermen at par with the Indian military and disaster management teams, have been voluntarily tapping their full potential in rescuing thousands of flood victims in different flood-affected districts of Kerala. Eventually, more than hundreds of survivors have been back to safety following the efforts made by the fishermen.

Numbers of fishermen’s teams have been conducting rescue operations in different places across Kerala including Edayaranmula, Alangad panchayat in Ernakulam and the so on. However, challenges like, dying phones, strange places, undulating water level and strong flow of water have been making the fishermen’s effort extremely difficult in Kerala. Hence, the fishermen were forced to ride against the tide risking their lives.

Notably, more than 370 people have died so far in Kerala in the worst flooding in nearly a century. As such, damage to infrastructure across the state has been expected to come to $3bn. Roads and 134 bridges have suffered damage, isolating remote areas in the hilly districts of the state which are worst affected.

Across Kerala, more than 82,000 rescue operations were mounted on Friday by the Indian military, disaster management teams and volunteer workers including the fishermen. However, the fishermen's efforts were hampered, by incessant rain, which had limited their work to daylight hours. Nevertheless, these fishermen engaging themselves in rescuing operations have been poured with appreciations across Kerala.

As the rain fury finally abated on Sunday, 724,649 people remained in 5,645 camps in Kerala following “one of the worst ever floods” that has left about 370 dead and caused unprecedented destruction.

“Our prime concern was to save lives. It appears it has been met,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media amid signs that the most destructive phase of the floods had ended and that water overflowing numerous towns and villages had started to recede.

“It is perhaps one of the worst ever tragedies. Hence the loss caused is so huge. So we will accept all help,” he said, revealing the extent of a tragedy which has not hit the state since 1924.

But even as Vijayan maintained that the last stage of rescue act was going on, various WhatsApp groups continued to be flooded with requests for help, especially from Alappuzha.

On Sunday morning, the authorities withdrew the red alert issued in the last of the three districts: Idukki, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta.

There were only moderate rains in a few districts.

Naturally, with fishermen, NCC, Navy and Air Force continuing to rescue the marooned, Sunday saw the maximum evacuation of people from Chengannur, Pandalam, Thiruvalla, several areas in Pathanamthitta district and in Aluva, Angamaly and Paravur in Ernakulam.

The Chief Minister said 22,034 people had been rescued from flooded homes and buildings.

The death toll began on May 29 when Kerala got the first of the monsoon rains. But the bulk of the fatalities were reported after August 9, when a tragedy of unprecedented proportion gripped the state after sluice gates of several rain-filled dams were opened.

Vijayan said the next task would be to help people get back to normal life.

“Rehabilitation will be done by various agencies,” he said and pledged that all towns and cities would be cleaned on a war footing.

Vijayan paid special tributes to Kerala’s famed fishermen who played a key role in rescuing hundreds and navigating through dangerous waters.

Every fisherman who took part in the rescue act would be given Rs 3,000 each, he said. “We will always be grateful for their support and help.”

Students who lost their educational materials and uniforms would get new replacements.