Pathanamthitta: Minister P C Vishnunath has warned of a possible flash flood in Pathanamthitta district tonight, stating that people from vulnerable areas will be evacuated to safer locations immediately while urging everyone to maintain high vigilance.
He announced that compensation for flood victims will be decided in the upcoming cabinet meeting and stated that an extreme flood warning has been issued for the Pamba river.
Dismissing the CPI(M)’s allegation of a ‘government-sponsored flood’ in Pathanamthitta as baseless, Minister Vishnunath explained that Moozhiyar is a dam that requires sudden opening during emergencies, making the rule curve inapplicable to it.
The minister expressed sadness over CPI(M) Pathanamthitta District Secretary Raju Abraham’s allegation that he conducted a review meeting solely with Congress members. Pointing out that the Maniyar dam lacks gates to close it and has remained open for the past two and a half years, he blamed the previous government for this major lapse.
He stressed the urgent need to complete the repair works at Maniyar and stated that a high-level meeting will be convened in Thiruvananthapuram as soon as the flood situation subsides.
With the heavy rains subsiding slightly, floodwaters have started receding in Aranmula and surrounding areas of Pathanamthitta, though numerous houses and roads continue to remain inundated.
Despite clearer skies, anxiety lingers in Aranmula as water levels drop slowly, leaving several residences, particularly most of the houses near the famous Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, under floodwaters.
Meanwhile, KSEB officials have initiated efforts to restore the electricity supply that was disrupted across Pathanamthitta district yesterday due to the severe weather.
In view of the Orange Alert, police announced that Sabarimala pilgrims will be permitted to proceed only if weather conditions remain favorable. Authorities warned that despite the lack of rain in deep forest areas, landslide risks persist, and pilgrims arriving for Sabarimala will be stopped at Nilakkal until further decisions are made based on weather updates.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com