“Suddenly water flowed from hills like flood”
The words of anxiety in the rescue camps
Madikeri, August 25: "The massive trees in our area started uprooting by the torrential rains that lashed along with strong winds. Suddenly the water flowed from the hills like flood. Due to the water force, rockslides occurred. Following which massive trees started collapsing into the water. It is still terrifying when we recall the sound of the rocky stones crashing with one another while rolling down with the flow of water. It was a terrifying experience to run away from them and save lives."
These are the words of anxiety from the villagers of Madikeri taluk’s Jodipala, Yeradane Monnangeri, Devarakolli and surrounding villages. Now all of them are in the rescue camps at Tekkil Community Hall in Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district and at the Sampaje Government School.
"These are never seen moments and never forgettable events of our lives. There was rain for some days. But the heavy rain of that day was devastating. The wind was more devastating than rain. The storm uprooted trees. Still getting goosebumps when we recall those moments," the villagers explained.
"Our town has completely demolished due to landslides and rainfall. Millions of crops, including Kangoo, coffee, black pepper, banana and lush gardens; which we developed by working for decades, have now remained only as mud. Houses built by borrowing loans have collapsed. There is no road to return to our town. We have no information about the Cattle, goats, dogs, and hens that we reared" the women and men in the camps said.
Due to heavy rainfall, water was gushing out from the hilltop near our house. The hills were collapsing. The rocks were rolling, and the trees were coming with flowing water. We ran out of the house to save our lives. As the roads were closed, we could not go anywhere and stayed together. The next day, some local people brought us here with the support of a rope tied across the river," said Kathayani, a resident of Yeradane Monnangere in Madikeri taluk.
“We were born and raised in Jodupala. I have never seen such a tragic event in my life. In case of heavy rainfall, a large amount of water used to flow through the stream near our house. If the rain was moderate, the water flow used to be reduced. But I have never seen a huge tree flowing like dust in the stream. The incident, where rocky stones rolling from the hills with crashing noise, was strange to me. I stood with folded hands in front of the water and requested it to stop. There was no other way than that. From there my son and I ran away and saved our lives," 60-year-old Sesamma, a resident of Jodupala who is currently housed in the Tekkil Community Hall narrated.
"Mom and I were at home. Heavy rainfall accompanied with gusty winds lashed the village. Laud sound was also there. Father, who was working in the garden, rushed and informed: “water is coming ... the rocks are rolling…” We all left home. Then a police constable came and lifted me on his back,” Likhit, a student who is currently staying at a camp in Sampaje primary school, recalled the incident.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
