At gruel centre, victims worry about loss of homes

The unrelenting rain and landslides have left several families living on the hills in Monnangeri, Jodupala, Madenadu in the district homeless.

At the gruel centre at DKZP Government Higher Primary School, at Sampaje, the victims were seen worrying over the condition of their houses and farmlands.

Dilshad, a health department employee from Monnangeri, who was rescued on Saturday said “Landslide has hit our house a week ago. We were staying in our uncle’s house and were cut off from others. Today, we were able to reach out to our relatives who in turn informed the toll-free number to rescue us.”

Another victim, Leena D’Souza told DH, “Landslides were occurring at Monnangeri for the last one week. We were stranded at home. Now, we have left all our cattle, dogs to fend for themselves and are staying at the relief camp.”

Anand K A, another victim from Jodupala, who is taking shelter at gruel centre at Sampaje, said, “On hearing a loud thud (of a landslide), I along with my daughter, who is studying in Class IX, ran for life. We have left behind our dog, domesticated fowl, cat, cash, gold ornaments back at home. I have household things worth Rs 10,000 at home. I do not know whether my house is still intact, and what would have happened to my cattle and dogs.”

Yashoda from Jodupala said, “We heard a huge sound all of a sudden at 9 am on Friday. In fact, even now the sound reverberates in my ear. We (four members of the family) ran for help. We were later rescued by the Sampaje panchayat officials. We do not know the fate of our house and arecanut trees. We had felt tremors a few days ago in the region,” she said.

Dinesh of Monnangeri, said, “Sensing the threat, we left our house on Friday noon. We do not know what is the condition back home.”

Meanwhile, a team of 14 doctors from KVG Medical College are camping at the gruel centre taking care of the medical needs of the victims. According to Dr Prajwal, “There are patients with diabetes, hypertension and fungal infection in legs, who are being treated at the centre.”

Village accountants of Sampaje and Sullia, Ramesh and Shivaraj, respectively, who are overseeing arrangements at the gruel centre, said, “The donors have supplied rice and vegetables to the centre. The food is cooked at the centre for victims.

“The local residents and the youth organisations are lending a helping hand. Even the sandals, clothes, bedsheets are supplied to the victims. We are supplying even hot water for bathing infants at the centre.”