Water everywhere but not a drop to drink: Migrant workers from MP recount landslide horror

Chooralmala: Dhanesh, a mother of two, and all her relatives were worried about their two-month-old baby Ritimol’s fever, as they stayed in their room at Attamala estate. The baby has been suffering from fever for three days. When the rain turned heavy and the bridge leading to Chooralmala was washed away, all connection with the outside world was lost, making it impossible for them to take the child to a hospital.

They were rescued on Wednesday morning. Dhanesh and her family came from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, four years ago in search of employment to the estate. This is the first time they are witnessing rain like this.

On Wednesday morning, Pooja and Rodelal, who were in the group along with Dhanesh, breathed a sigh of relief when the Army and rescue workers reached the estate by creating a temporary bridge.

Her elder daughter, seven-year-old Lakshmi, who studies at Vellarmala school, first asked for some water from the rescue team. They did not have drinking water access for two days, Dhanesh said. Even the sick baby could not be given water. 

The people who were rescued after suffering for two days without water and electricity, first made sure that everyone in their group was safe.
All the migrant workers were taken to Meppadi via ambulances, aided by ministers K Rajan and P A Muhammed Riyas. The ministers assured them not to worry and that there was a place for everyone. 

More than a hundred people have come here from different parts of Guna for plantation work. Their children study in different schools in Meppadi. 
Life was smoothly functioning for these migrant workers until tragedy struck on July 29.