COCHIN, India — The Catholic Church has joined relief efforts as
unprecedented floods and landslides continue to wreak havoc in India's Kerala
state, killing about 370 people within a week.
Ucanews.com reported that all 41 Catholic dioceses in the
southern state have opened schools and other institutions to accommodate flood
victims and are cooperating to send food, clothes and other relief materials to
affected areas.
Nearly a million people were in temporary relief camps after
incessant rain since Aug. 13 filled reservoirs of Kerala's 33 dams to the brim,
forcing authorities to open sluices. This caused all 44 rivers to overflow and
inundate homes, farms and roads and railways as floodwater gushed to the
Arabian Sea on the state's western border.
"It is an extremely worrying situation," Pinarayi
Vijayan, Kerala's chief minister, told media Aug. 15, noting that heavy rain
was forecast for another two days. Ucanews.com reported it was the heaviest
rain and floods since 1924.
Road and rail lines remain flooded in several parts and the
state's main Kochi International Airport halted operations following the
inundation of runways.
"It is an unprecedented situation in my lifetime," said
70-year-old Father Jose Plachickal, vicar general of Idukki Diocese, home to
the state's biggest dam. "The roads to many parishes are blocked because
of massive landslides and uprooted trees."
Most people living near rivers lost all they had, including
homes, when dam shutters were opened.
Many moved out with whatever they could carry, fearing landslides
from saturated slopes could hit their homes at any time, the priest said. But
some believed their homes were the safest place.
"We cannot venture out of our homes ... there is no
guarantee to come back as you may face flash floods and landslides any
time," said one farmer. "Now we don't even feel safe in our homes as
continuing rains have weakened our old houses. But where could I go?"
Father Thomas Punamadathil, who works with the social service
wing of Bathery Diocese in Wayanad district, said rescue and relief teams were
unable to reach many places, especially those where tribal people live.
"Some relief camps are now isolated after roads were blocked
by landslides," Father Punamadathil told ucanews.com Aug. 20, adding that
it was difficult to deliver food and water to those in the camps.
Thousands of Catholic volunteers have joined early clean-up
efforts to protect communities from the risk of diseases and other health
issues, he said.
Caritas India has 10 million Indian rupees (US$145,000) to help
the flood victims, said spokesman Jaimon Joseph.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops'
Conference of India, asked the country's bishops to come together to help the
victims.
"We are distressed by the extensive damage to the life and
property through a disaster of this magnitude," Cardinal Gracias said.
On Aug. 19, Pope Francis urged the international community to
assist those affected by the flooding.
He said the church was assisting with relief efforts and urged
those gathered at the Vatican to pray for those who had died and
those affected by the disaster.