UAE-based expat family stranded during Kerala floods recalls ordeal

An Abu Dhabi couple has returned from Kerala with an extraordinary tale of survival during the floods that claimed more than 400 lives in the South Indian state.

Narayanan Nampoothiry, 53, and his wife Preetha, who were on a two-week holiday got stranded for four days on the first floor of their waterlogged house in Pathanamthitta district.

"It was an experience we will never forget," Nampoothiry, who is an HR professional with a private healthcare provider, told Khaleej Times.

"We could see water rising and reaching almost to the first floor where we had taken refuge. The ground floor was completely under water. There was nothing we could do but remain calm and hope rescue would arrive."

But it turned out to be a harrowing wait that lasted four days with no electricity and mobile phones not reachable most of the time.

"Our biggest worry was that my 84-year-old father and 73-year-mother, who were with us. What if they fell ill? What if they wanted medical assistance? Because of them we could not move out," said Nampoothiry.

The couple's house is located at Malakkara on the banks of Pampa river, which overflowed when the dams opened after Kerala witnessed unprecedented rains in August.

"On August 14 morning, water levels were rising around us. We took all necessary stuff including a gas stove, emergency lights and enough food and moved to the first floor of the house."

"But by 15th morning, water reached up to the first floor. Our daughter was in a hostel in Kannur, and we had just enough charge on my mobile phone to remain in touch with her. I had also passed information to the remote rescue coordination team in Abu Dhabi. But it was impossible for helicopters to reach us because of the bad weather," said Nampoothiry.

His wife Preetha, a school teacher in Abu Dhabi, said they would sit awake at 2am beaming torch lights hoping helicopters would reach them.

"The situation worsened by 17th as our mobiles phones were fast running out of battery. My daughter and our friends were trying their best to share our location and coordinate rescue. But nothing was working out," she said.

Meanwhile, the couple said they tried out all survival tactics at their disposal to tide through the crisis. "We would call out other stranded people in the neighbouring houses just to exchange a sign of life. Also, we would exchange things using a long rope and swing it to the families next door. At times, people would come in small fibre boats to check on us and ensure rescue would soon arrive."

It was only on August 18, the rescue boats reached their house and evacuated all the four into safety. "I think we were among the lucky ones. We did lose a lot of things. But we have to look at the positive side of what has happened and move on with life," said Nampoothiry.

But, the pain of seeing his house covered in mud and slush, Preetha said, was heartbreaking. "Water did not recede for another three days. When we went back to check on our house, the floors were covered knee-deep in mud and muck. It took a big team of professionals to clear the mess."

According to the couple, many families that have lost their life savings are depressed. "We are not too worried about what we lost. But many people are bottling up their anguish and despair, unable to express it. Many don't even know how and from where to start rebuilding. I really feel it is important to offer psychological support to families to over this trauma," said Nampoothiry, who flew to Abu Dhabi from Thiruvananthapuram on August 27.

"We are especially thankful to our employers who were very supportive, and told us not to worry about joining late for duty or anything. That was a big relief," added Preetha.

anjana@khaleejtimes.com 

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