Let’s have a look at the floating relief camps in Kuttanad
Kuttanad in Alappuzha, one of the best tourism spots in Kerala, famous for its back waters and house boats, has been in a stagnated state, after the devastating floods. Among others, tourism fraternity have also been taking part in the rescue and relief operations in the flood ridden state. Tourism News Live could witness such a noble gesture from the House Boat Owners of Alappuzha. They have given their house boats to run relief camps for the flood victims of the Kuttanad region. A number of families from the innermost parts of Kuttanad are living in these house boat camps.
When flood has destroyed everything in the Kuttanad region, house boat owners have come forward to help them by providing house boats as their abodes. Water level was so high in some areas, making it difficult to find a shore for shelter. House boats have saved a number of lives during the flood and in the post flood period they have become an asylum for the flood victims.
Some of the flood affected families are in house boats for more than two weeks. Generator for lighting and gas for cooking are also provided by the house boat owners, free of charge. The owners have also provided house boats for the volunteers who have been taking part in the rescue and relief operations.
Not only in house boats, but in other areas also the house boat owners have been extending their helping hands by providing relief items like drinking water, cleaning materials, food items etc.
TNL has visited a relief camp running in a house boat named ‘Holiday Home’, owned by Kunjumon Mathews. It has been just a week or so the boat has been renovated with cost of around Rs 6 lakhs. However, Mathews has given the boat without hesitation to convert it into a relief camp.
“We came to this house boat when our house has submerged,” said Rajendran, an inmate of the house boat camp. The boat has been a shelter for around 35 people.
“We are anxious about the condition of our homes, when we return,” said Chithra, another inmate. “We did not expect to reach here crossing the rushing water. Thanks to the house boat owner, who were kind enough to provide us shelter in his palatial house boat,” she added.
Coordination of the relief operations were carried out by Venugopal, President of House Boat Owners Federation; Jobin J Akkarathalathil, Secretary; Tomy Joseph, Joint Secretary; Shaji Maliekkal, Aju Jacob etc.