Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Aug 22: Huge quantity of slush and heaps of trees which had accumulated at Jodupala after one of the worst landslides devastated the serene atmosphere of this hilly region recently were removed with the help of backhoes on Tuesday August 21.

Advance preparations to undertake this work with the help of backhoes had begun on Monday evening itself, and the works went on in full swing on Monday. Now, the practicability of constructing culverts at the spot where a stretch of the highway was washed away due to the force of water is being examined. Teams of National Disaster Response Force, home guards, police etc are present at the spot and search for missing Gowramma and Manjula is on.

In the meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, Sasikanth Senthil, visited the spot and guided the operations.

It is said that a person from Monnangeri from near Jodupala has gone missing, but this information is yet to be verified. The revenue department has not yet confirmed this information. It is said that workers from Assam were rescued from Jodupala on Tuesday. But they have not been accommodated in the relief centre at Sullia.

Many families from places like Aranthodu, Kallugundi and Sampaje relief camps have gone to houses of relatives. Some of them have returned to the centres. There is information about the death of a cow belonging to an affected family out of hunger. As many approached the deputy commissioner seeking permission to feed their starving cattle, some were allowed to go in police jeep for the purpose.

In areas where normalcy has been restored the district administration is thinking of sending the inmates of relief centre back to their homes. By Wednesday they may get permission to return home. Particularly in Sampaje and Koyinadu areas, rainfall has steeply come down and risk factor has eased. As many feel that people from these areas can safely return to their homes, the district administration is likely to take a decision on Wednesday.

At the same time, there has been chaos in relief centres as lot of people have been visiting them. The district administration therefore has banned entry into the centres for those other than bringing assistance. For the visit of relatives too timing has been fixed and affected people and volunteers have been issued identity slips.

At the request of the state government, a team of scientists from Indian Space Research Organization would be visiting Jodupala on Wednesday and study the current situation and geographical condition there, said Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, U T Khader.

At the same time, water supply to Sullia town has been suspended since water flowing in River Payaswini since the last three days has been slushy and muddy. As over 80 percent of the town's populace is dependent on purified water being supplied by the town panchayat here, there is shortage of drinking water in the town.