Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DC)
Mangaluru, Aug 18: More than 200 people from the coast are stranded at the Divine Retreat Centre in Chalakudy following unprecedented floods in Kerala.
According to sources, as many as 8 residents of Mudipu who had been to the retreat centre, popularly known as Potta Retreat Centre, were in touch with the family back at home till Thursday. The family members are expressing concern as they are unable to reach out to them since Friday.
Divine Retreat Centre, English Campus - File Photo
Some of the stranded people are Ravi Cutinha from Kambalapadav, his relatives Stephen Cutinha, Sunil from Vittal, Philip D'souza from Vijayadka, his wife and two children and Suresh Prakash from Mudipu.
Meanwhile former MLA J R Lobo spoke to the wife of Ravi Cutinha on Thursday and said that several people from Moodbidri, Karkala and Mangaluru too have gone on retreat. Over 15 devotees from Mysuru are also stranded at the centre.
District-in-charge minister U T Khader and MLC Ivan D’souza too have spoken to the family.
The rescue teams are unable to reach the retreat centre since the Chalakudy River is overflowing and only the army choppers can rescue them. The English, Kannada and Konkani sections of the centre are submerged in water and the devotees have been shifted to Malayalam section temporarily.
The devotees were supplied with food on Friday night, as per recent reports. .
Due to heavy rains, trains have been cancelled and the incessant rains have disrupted power supply as well in the area.
Potta retreat centre is the biggest retreat place in the world.