Even as water level in the low-lying parts of Central Travancore has begun to rise with the entry of run-off water from the upper reaches, Revenue Minister K.Rajan here on Wednesday warned people against gathering around waterbodies or visiting the calamity-hit areas to see the floods.
Talking to mediapersons after reviewing the rescue and relief operations in Pathanamthitta here on Wednesday, the Minister noted that extremely heavy rain and rain-induced landslides are the biggest challenges at present. Generally, there is a tendency among people to flock to the flood-hit areas or sites of tragedy, which has the potential of a major disaster.
`` When the news about an elephant got stranded in the Chalakudy river came about, hundreds of people rushed to the spot and it caused a great deal of difficulty to the authorities. The police have been directed to take strong action against such gatherings,’‘ he said.
