Thiruvananthapuram, 03 August (H.S.):
The death toll from heavy rain and rain-related disasters in Kerala rose to 15 on Monday, while seven people remained missing as rescue and relief operations continued across affected districts. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the overall situation in the State had largely been brought under control, though waterlogging and flooding continued to pose challenges in some areas.
Pathanamthitta remained a major area of concern as floodwaters were receding slowly despite a decline in rainfall. Fishing boats have been mobilised to assist rescue operations, while two helicopters have also been deployed. Personnel from the police, Fire and Rescue Services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued operations in affected areas.
According to the Chief Minister, 11,018 people have so far been evacuated to 316 relief camps opened across Kerala. Preliminary assessments showed that around 164.98 hectares of agricultural land had been affected, with nearly 3,596 farmers suffering losses.
Satheesan said water levels in the State's major dams remained well below danger levels and urged people not to panic. The government had also initiated measures to address sea incursion and coastal damage caused by rough weather.
Responding to questions over whether adequate preparations had been made ahead of the extreme rainfall, the Chief Minister said the intensity of the rain had increased rapidly and that even the India Meteorological Department had been unable to accurately anticipate the scale of the downpour.
The government has sanctioned ₹10,000 as immediate assistance towards funeral expenses for each person who died in the disaster. Families returning from relief camps after their homes were inundated will also receive ₹10,000 as immediate relief.
Satheesan said families of those killed in disasters were eligible for compensation totalling ₹8 lakh. This included ₹4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund, ₹2 lakh from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund and ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
The government has also increased assistance for families who have lost both their houses and land and are unable to rebuild at the same location. Such families were earlier eligible for ₹6 lakh to purchase land and ₹4 lakh to construct a house, taking the total assistance to ₹10 lakh.
Considering the increase in construction and building material costs, the government has now raised the house construction component from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh. The total assistance available to such families will consequently increase to ₹12 lakh.
The government has also asked the Agriculture Department to submit a proposal for enhancing compensation to farmers who suffered crop losses in the rain and floods.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
