• Home

UAE's Kodava community tense as landslides batter Coorg

Dubai - Kodavas, or Coorgis, living and working in the UAE are uniting together to send relief funds and supplies to their loved ones back home.

The Kodava community in the UAE is in a state of worry and panic as incessant rains in their hometown Coorg has destroyed their homes and infrastructure. Ravaged by rain, Coorg, the rural district in Kerala's neighbouring state Karnataka, has suffered massive landslides.
Kodavas, or Coorgis, living and working in the UAE are uniting together to send relief funds and supplies to their loved ones back home. There are approximately a little over 250 Kodava community people living in the UAE.
Known for its coffee plantations, Coorg has very rugged terrain, making rescue operations a challenge in the district. Furthermore, according to the Kodavas in the UAE, heavy rains are not uncommon in Coorg. "What has shocked us is the landslides. This has caused massive damage to property," said Shilpa Chinnappa, a Dubai- based marketing professional.
Her home is in a town called Kakkabe, which is 32km away from the central city of Madikeri. "Another problem Coorg is facing is poor connectivity. There is no cell phone range in a vast area across the entire district of Coorg, so it is hard to connect with people, and if they are stuck, they will not be able to communicate," said Chinnappa. In her case, her father has been charging phone with a car battery. Residents also said that loads of construction debris and muck has settled into residential houses, and cleaning it out would be a challenge.
The community of Coorgis in the UAE are small. "We've been connecting with the community over social media, and several individuals have been sending cash relief."
She added: "The main challenge is getting rescue operations to Coorg. There are no places to land helicopters."
Given the current situation, the community has requested for drones to sight if anyone needs any help. 
Nithin Chand, another Kodava and civil defence employee who has been living in the UAE for a little over three years,said: "Kaveri river is on the right-side of the road near my home. Even though there is a road that separates the home and the river, due to the back flow of water, my house has been completely flooded," he said. 
"Almost all houses in this area are covered. Agriculture and everything in the area have gone for a toss. Fortunately, my parents shifted to a friend's place."
He added: "We are sending supplies and cash contributions because they can use the money back home. District administration has started something called the Kodava Relief Fund, and the state government is also working to repair the damage."
Prakash Chinnappa Choundira, a Dubai-resident since 2002, said: "Since the outbreak of the floods, Coorg has received very little media attention. Small-time vernacular press has covered our plight and the Kodava Samaj in other major cities in Karnataka are working together to help." Those interested in sending relief funds and supplies to the Kodavas in Coorg can write to volunteers on this email: teamcoorguae@gmail.com.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com