In Pettimudi, a plantation settlement near Munnar in Kerala, close to 50 people have lost their lives in a landslide and over 20 remain missing. For the third year in a row, god’s own country is facing his wrath. Pettimudi has been a plantation settlement since the British era. The plantation workers lived here in tiny makeshift houses. The hilly terrain makes it extremely crucial to get around here.
On the night of August 6, a huge landslide swept away the settlement. Over 80 people were asleep in their houses, oblivious to the fury that was to befall on them. According to a person who made a miraculous escape, it was raining heavily that night and he woke up hearing a loud noise. When he came out, he saw other houses in the region being washed away.
Landslide in Pettimudi plantation, Munnar. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
Three days down the line, everywhere you look, destruction seems closer than before. The landscape has changed forever. The NDRF, fire department and other volunteers are working continuously to locate those who are missing. Huge boulders, large chunks of wood and sticky mud, make the rescue efforts quite difficult.
The hilly terrain of the Pettimudi plantation makes it difficult for rescue operations. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
John George has a two-storeyed house in Chungam, Kottayam. He lifted all his furniture and appliances from the ground floor and moved to the first floor of the house along with his wife. Water has entered the ground floor and has completely soaked up their furniture and cabinets.
A house in Chungam, Kottayam submerged under water. Residents left their house and are staying elsewhere. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
Destruction of property due to landslide in Pettimudi plantation. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
“This happened in 2018, 2019 and now this year as well. We pile everything one on top of the other and hope water doesn’t touch it. It costs around Rs 10,000-15,000 to clean the house. But you can’t do much. I moved my cars out of my compound as soon as it started raining since I learnt my lesson in 2018,” he said.
A house in Chungam, Kottayam where water entered the ground floor of the house. Residents stacked their furniture to avoid destruction by water. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
Destruction of property due to landslide in Pettimudi plantation. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
John lost his car in the 2018 floods and had to spend a good amount of money to get it fixed. The entire area around his house is completely submerged in water. Several people have left their homes and headed off to their relative’s houses.
Two hours away from Kottayam in Aluva, around 200 families living along the banks of the Periyar river have been evacuated. The Sri Mahodevar temple is also completely submerged in water. But people still come to the temple, wade through water and perform rituals.
The Sri Mahadevar temple at Aluva submerged under water after the Periyar overflowed its banks. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
Though Monday, August 10, brought a brief respite to the people of Kottayam as the rains didn’t lash down hard on them, in certain areas the water remains stagnant and people have to use boats to move around.
Ministers and other legislators are constantly monitoring the situation on the ground in Kerala’s severely affected areas. The government has announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakhs to the kin of those who are no more.
A portion of the road was washed away at Aruthooty bridge, Kottayam. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose said that the rescue workers have been maneuvering difficult terrain to rescue and locate those missing. He also said that 14 students are among those who were missing. The state government has decided to continue with the search efforts until the last missing person is located.
Manarcad, Kottayam is submerged in water. This is the spot where a youth and car were washed away on Sunday. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
This year, more than the rains, landslides have affected the lives of the people. In Kakkayam, Kozhikode, the Adivasis live in fear that with every rain, their end is closer. A landslide in the hills, took away portions of people’s homes, though fortunately no one was hurt. People living in the hills have moved to the local church which is now a relief camp.
A relief camp at St. Joseph’s Church in Kakkayam, Kozhikode where the tribal community has sought refuge after the landslide. (Picture Credit: Divyan Rajkumar)
“If we can be relocated that will be a favour to us, otherwise we will die beneath these rocks,” said Gopi, an 80-year-old man who has lived in the Kakkayam hills all his life.