Pathanamthitta District was badly affected during the flood from 16th Aug 2018. The major rivers in Pathanamthitta overflew during the time and about 57,600 families were directly affected. Most of the family vacated from their house to escape from heavy flood water. After the rescue and relief, rehabilitation was the main challenge of the District Administration. Most of the houses filled with water and sedimentary mud oozed through the flood. Cleaning process was very herculean task because of the deposition of mud. To help the families, Kudumbashree District Mission conducted a campaign. Initially Pulikeezhu block, the worst affected area had been selected for the campaign for cleaning. A total of 6757 women from Kudumbashree neighbourhood group were mobilised to take up massive cleaning campaign at Pulikeezhu block on 28.08.2018. The ultimate aim was to clean all the houses within two days by giving priority to partialized and financially weaker families. Though 4000 volunteers were aimed, 6757 volunteers took part in the process. The process proceeded with the support of other department, LSGs and District Administration.
NHG members from non affected and less affected area/CDS were deputed to carry out the cleaning drive in the most affected area. On the first day , NHG members from 15 panchayaths and three municipalities namely Kalanjoor, Nedumpuram, Erathu, Enadhimangalam, Kodumon, Ezhamkulam, Kadambanadu, Palllickal, Pandalam, Peringara, Kuttoor, Konni, Omalloor, Anicadu, Kottangal panchayaths and Pathanamthitta,Adoor & Thiruvalla Municipality were mobilized to clean houses,public spaces,streets and premises at Peringara, Niranam, Nedumpuram, Kuttoor and Kadapra panchayaths and the most affected places of Thiruvalla municipality.
All the volunteers arrived at 9AM at the respective panchayaths in Pulikeezhu block and from there they have been divided into groups under the leadership of Kudumbashree District Mission team members and their respective leaders. All the teams were then shifted to pre decided different areas in the panchayath with the help of ward members/CDS members of the affected area. Each team was equipped with spade, showel, bucket, mug, bleaching powder, cleaning lotion, Dettol, mops, brooms etc. They have been provided mask, preventive medicine, gloves and gum boot to ensure the precaution. They have also been provided food and water.
The preliminary cleaning process completed at 5 PM on the day and will be repeated on request from the affected with the help of NHG members from local and adjacent panchayaths.
