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1,350 families to be shifted from vulnerable areas in the Nilgiris

Udhagamandalam: At least 1,350 families will be relocated to new places in Ooty, Kundha , Gudalur and Pandalur taluks in the Nilgiris , where flash flood and landslides had wreaked havoc earlier this month. These four taluks were the most hit by the record rain that the district recorded from August 7 to 9.

Presently, about 190 temporary shelters are being readied to house the people, who were rendered homeless in the rain-related calamities.



The district administration has, meanwhile, shot off a letter to the state government, seeking a technical study by a reputed agency to put in place a mitigation strategy as part of a comprehensive disaster management ploy.

According to revenue officials, more than 1,000 acres of farmland were destroyed in Ooty, Kundha, Gudalur and Pandalur taluks in the flash flood. Around 300 huts in tribal villages in Gudalur and Pandalur taluks were also destroyed.

They said most of the adi dravidar colonies in the four taluks were either partially or fully damaged in the flash flood and landslides, and more than 1,000 families had to be relocated.

Nilgiris collector J Innocent Divya said, “We have sent a proposal to the government for 1,350 houses. At least 190 people have lost their houses completely. Temporary houses are being readied for them. We will also relocate the families living in highly vulnerable areas and whose houses have partially damaged. They all will be shifted to new places in their respective taluks itself.”

She said adi dravidar colonies, which were damaged, were located at a slope of more than 30 degrees. “We now need a technical report from a reputed agency on where human habitations are possible. We need zonations for the entire district. For a permanent solution, a holistic view is required. We have written to the government seeking a technical study by a reputed agency.”

According to Divya, the level of vulnerability is not the same across the district. “It differs from place to place. For example, soil in Gudalur is different from the other parts of the Nilgiris. The rain pattern is also different.”

She said the gradient and rainfall pattern were different in Coonoor taluk, compared to Ooty and other taluks. “As such, the degree of vulnerability too is different. Hence, it’s impossible to cite a common cause for the deluge.”

Pointing out that most drains in the district had been encroached, Divya said water was being rerouted. “So, we have taken up the entire district drainage map for a study. If drainage is proper, landslips could be curtailed.” She said the case wasn’t different with the river pathways.

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