LANDSLIDE IN IDUKKI 2018

HEAVY LANDSLIDES IN THE DISTRICT OF IDUKKI, KERALA

The district of idukki is very much affected by the heavy rains and landslides that happened during the 1^st and 2^nd week of August. Many are affected by the landslides due to the death of some people, injury, destruction of houses, loss of belongings and agricultural area, destruction of roads etc. The Government and other agencies are providing all supports to the victims by arranging relief camps and other immediate needs. The local people and other well-wishers also extend all supports to the affected people.

The Hihrange Development society, the official social work organ of the catholic diocese of Idukki is very actively involved in the relief works through visiting the affected areas and extending all services with the support of the parish priests and arranging for the needs in the relief camps. The society also gathers the update information regarding the damages happened and the diocese of Idukki extends full support to the HDS for the relief services.

SITUATIONAL STUDY:

          The Continuous downpour of rain started during the month of May 2018 and still continuing. On 9^th  August 2018 early morning captured the form of cloud burst accounting for 20 deaths in landslides, the worst at Rajapuram,  Adimaly, Keerithode, panikkankudy, Panniarkutty, Perichankutty, Parathodu and many other places in Idukki, 105 km away from Kochi.  Heavy downpour and mist slowed down the rescue services in many places. Slippery hilly terrain makes it very difficult to make rescue operations.

Kerala State as a whole and the district of Idukki in particular has bore the force of monsoon heavy. It is facing nonstop rain for more than last 60 days. And this continues rain  has resulted wide spread  disorder in the form of landslides, heavy flood and mud flows  in the low lying areas and the river banks of Periyar, Cheruthoni etc. The biggest arch dam of  India is situated in Idukki and its Shutters are opened and which caused heavy flows in the Periyar.

The continuous flows of water filled the dams and this circumstance enforced the govt. officials to discharge the water from the dams through shutters. The shutters of all the dams opened and many places like Neriamangalam, Aluva were flooded.

Major findings during the situational study done by the Highrange Development Society, the official social work organ of the Catholic diocese of Idukki.

• 6175 families were identified in 25 villages who are severely affected by the
• It is witnessed 60 people passed away due to this disaster and 51 people were found acutely injured in the operational area of HDS.
• 1050 houses were fully washed out due to the heavy landslides/ landslips, mudflows , nonstop rainfall and more than 6000 people became homeless. They are being shifted to  relief camps/neighboring houses or relative’s houses.
• 211 rehabilitation centers started as an immediate step.
• 180 shops were fully washed-out and 57 families lost their livestock due to this natural calamity.
• 10500 hectares of agriculture land were totally destroyed.
• Mass movement of both soil/ mudflows and rocks has resulted in the uprooting of many big trees and damages of houses in many places
• Statistical data of disaster due to landslides in Idukki district.

• of Taluks mostly affected 3 ( Devikulam, Idukki and Udumbanchola)
• People died 49
• People missing 11
• of people injured 51
• Agriculture area affected 10500 hectors
• Agriculture Loss 45 crores
• Total Estimated loss 150 crores
• Houses fully destroyed 1050
• Houses partially damaged 3250
• Roads destroyed
• NH 70 km
• PWD Road 560 km
• Village Roads 1496 km
• Relief Camp Details
• Relief Camps 211
• of Families in the Camps 6175
• Members in the camp 33636 people
• Female members 14292
• Male members 13404
• Children 5940
• Men Above age 60 279
• Female Above age 60 318

Request

In this particular context, I humbly request you to consider the alarming situation of Idukki. We are in need of support from generous organizations and people. The immediate needs like food, clothing, medical care etc. were properly taken care in the relief camps. But one of the most important areas for consideration is their rehabilitation and livelihood in the future. As many of them lost their shelters, that are to be reconstructed. Therefore think of the possibility to join in the efforts to reconstruct the houses. If you have any creative suggestions we welcome. Expecting your co-operation I remain

 

Fr.Sebastian. Kochupurackal

Executive Director, HDS (Mob: 9447513211)

 

FCRA Account

Name of Account Holder   : –  Highrange Development Society

Account Number                 : – 0239053000004040

Name of Bank                      : – South Indian Bank

Branch                                   : – Murickassery

IFSC Code                             : – SIBL0000239

FCRA NO                                : – 052940069

 

General Account

 Name of Account Holder   : –  Highrange Development Society

Account Number                 : – 0123053000037794

Name of Bank                      : –  South Indian Bank

Branch                                   : – Idukki

IFSC Code                             : – SIBL0000123

 

(Tax Deduction U/S 80(G)of IT Act 1961No.AAATH3988C/09/15-16/T-0083/80G.)