Fr Adolf Washington

Madikeri, Sep 21: Though the flood waters that ravaged Kodagu in Karnataka have receded, the ravages it caused were all too visible, with massive landslides, caved-in roads, collapsed houses and uprooted trees.

Archbishop Peter Machado along with a core-team that planned, monitored and coordinated relief work visited Kodagu on September 18 and 19 to interact with the victims of nature’s fury. The archbishop heard the dismal cry of a lady who lost her entire 12 acre land and house.

Under the aegis of the archdiocese, money and material were earlier delivered to the flood-ravaged areas.

The team visited Hattihole where most of the damages happened. About 35 Catholic families most of who have lost their houses were displaced and it was here that Francis Monteiro sacrificed his life while saving others. The team met the wife of Francis and consoled her.

Nirmala Vidya Nikethan English Medium School, Hattihole, with 500 students were shifted to Suntikoppa. The team visited Suntikoppa and interacted with the students from Hattihole school who are still going through trauma, post-floods.

The archbishop was accompanied by Fr Joseph Navin Kumar (director- Bengaluru multi-purpose Social Service Society) among others.