Administrations have their task cut out

COVID situation makes evacuation difficult

Evacuation of people to relief camps in coastal districts hit by heavy sea erosion has become all the more difficult due to the grim COVID-19 situation. With flooding severe along coastal Thiruvananthapuram, the district administration shifted 308 people from 78 families to relief camps. While people who have tested positive for the infection have been moved to domiciliary care centres (DCC), the administration is planning to carry out antigen tests in the relief camps for the others, Deputy Collector (Disaster Management)G.K. Suresh Kumar said. In Alappuzha, sea erosion has been severe at Ottamassery, Neerkunnam, Purakkad, Thrikkunnappuzha, Ambalapuzha, Arattuppuzha, and Kattoor in Cherthala and Ambalappuzha taluks. At least three houses were damaged after rough seas battered Ottamassery. Buildings have been identified in all the six taluks for relief camps. People will be shifted there as per the COVID-19 protocol and guidelines, said a revenue official.