After the deluge, a struggle to rebuild lives in Chellanam

Most homes there have ankle-deep sand deposited in rooms by floodwaters

Around 85% of the more than 10,300 houses in the coastal village of Chellanam were flooded and damaged in the four days of heavy rain and sea incursion till Monday, leaving villagers with the difficult task of cleaning up and repairing their homes. Their struggles begin now. Most of the families have not been even able to cook their food because they are dealing with the debris and dirt left over by the floodwaters. Most homes have ankle-deep sand deposited in rooms. The shortage of clean water and electricity is hampering the cleaning works, said T.A. Dalfin, a resident and activist working with the Pachima Kochi Theera Samrakshan Samithy. V.D. Majeendran, a fishers’ union leader, said he visited Maruvakkad on Tuesday. “The scene is heart-rending,” he said pointing out that people are unable to do anything with the massive heaps of debris washed ashore in the rain and high waves.