THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Massive waves which rose to several feet wreaked havoc in the coastal area of Cheriyamuttom near Poonthura destroying 30 houses and partially damaging another 30. The sea had turned rough on Sunday morning around 3 a m.According to locals, even though it is usual for the sea to turn rough during the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, this year the intensity was much higher. There was heavy downpour in the area since midnight. Houses belonging to fishermen community bore the brunt of the massive waves which lashed the shore.Police and Revenue Department authorities rushed to the area and directed evacuation of families who lived in houses which were vulnerable to the rough sea.However, the people initially refused to move out and shift to the refugee camp set up at the Community Facilitation Centre at Cheriyamuttom. Later, police officials along with Church authorities succeeded in persuading the people to move to the camp. Around 200 people were shifted to the Community Facilitation Centre.Transport Minister V S Sivakumar and District Collector P M Francis visited the place and assessed the situation. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has convened a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss the relief measures to be carried out at Cheriyamuttom.
Comments
0 comment