15 dead, 7 missing as Kerala battles torrential rain; over 11,000 in relief camps
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Monday said the death toll in rain-related incidents across the state had risen to 15, while seven people remained
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Monday said the death toll in rain-related incidents across the state had risen to 15, while seven people remained missing, adding that the overall situation was under control as rescue and relief operations intensified. After chairing an emergency meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority, Satheesan said the government had reviewed the situation across Kerala and found conditions to be largely under control, except in a few pockets of Pathanamthitta, the worst-hit district. Read Full Story He said preparedness measures had been initiated even before the heavy rain began. To strengthen rescue efforts, 14 fishing boats from Kollam were deployed to Chengannur, while two helicopters from Sulur in Tamil Nadu arrived in Thiruvananthapuram. One Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been deployed in Pathanamthitta and two in Kottayam, with two additional teams expected from Arakkonam.
The government has also kept Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel and Defence Security Corps units on standby for deployment if required. "Food packets have been prepared for distribution through helicopters and ground teams, and all necessary arrangements have been completed," Satheesan said. As of 9 am on Monday, 316 relief camps were sheltering 11,018 people across the state. Providing a district-wise update, the chief minister said Kottayam reported three deaths, Idukki two, Kollam two, Malappuram four, and one each in Vizhinjam, Muthalapozhi, Kannur and Kozhikode. One person each remains missing in Vizhinjam and Muthalapozhi, two in Kollam, one in Malappuram and two in Kannur, taking the total number of missing persons to seven. Preliminary estimates indicate crop damage across 164.98 hectares, affecting 3,596 farmers, though Satheesan said the figures were likely to rise after a detailed assessment.
He also urged people not to believe rumours circulating on social media about water being released from major reservoirs. "False reports claiming that water is being released from major reservoirs are creating unnecessary panic. Strict action will be taken against those spreading such rumours," he said, adding that all major dams remained well within safe operating levels. The Chief Minister announced an immediate Rs 10,000 towards funeral expenses for each deceased person and Rs 10,000 for every family returning home after floodwaters entered their houses. Families of those who lost their lives will receive Rs 8 lakh in compensation, while financial assistance for houses completely destroyed in major landslides has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. The government also plans to enhance compensation for crop losses after the next Cabinet meeting.
The BriefWire