Crack appears on Bailey bridge while Punnapuzha river swells; Rains batter Chooralmala yet again

CHOORALMALA: Exactly one year after the disaster, Chooralmala is yet again witnessing incessant rains. The water level in the Punnapuzha River rose while the protective wall of the Bailey bridge cracked. The bridge has not been damaged. A landslide occurred in the Mundakai Vanarani estate.

The repeated flash floods have caused concern. The Attamala and Mundakai roads were submerged in water after the Punnapuzha River overflowed. Workers trapped in the Mundakai and Attamala areas were evacuated.

About 200 workers were evacuated using vehicles, including tractors. Workers from Harrison's Malayalam Plantation, Vanarani Estate, Ranimala Estate and Dum Dum Estate were evacuated. Trees and other debris flowed down the Punnapuzha from the Mundakai side, leading to speculation that a landslide had occurred. However, a joint inspection by Revenue Forest officials later found that there had been no landslide.

The water in the Punnapuzha River had started rising since morning. By morning, the water in the river started overflowing, raising concern among locals. Revenue, forest and police officials were the first to arrive after locals informed them of their worries. Representatives from the Meppadi Grama Panchayat also arrived at the scene. The locals rescued the workers who were stuck in various places.

The NDRF team also reached the spot by noon. Meanwhile, the locals stopped the revenue officials. The protest ended only after ADM K. Devaki held talks with the protesters.