Kerala CM Satheesan tours flood-hit areas, assures affected people of full support
Pathanamthitta, Aug 4
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday announced a series of urgent measures to strengthen Kerala's flood response, with Pathanamthitta emerging as the state's top priority after the recent disaster, even as the India Meteorological Department warned that extremely heavy rain would continue over the next few days.
Visiting flood-hit areas and relief camps in Pathanamthitta, the Chief Minister said desilting of rivers would begin immediately, with the district getting first priority.
He also announced that Kerala would set up a permanent disaster management system, with its first project to be implemented in Pathanamthitta.
"The next flood will not be waited for," he said, adding that an integrated multi-agency early warning system would be put in place and more helicopters would be deployed for emergency operations.
Describing the recent spell as one of extremely intense rainfall, Satheesan said there was hardly any time even to evacuate people before landslides struck forest areas.
He said all ministers had been rushed to the affected districts as soon as the scale of the disaster became clear and funds had already been sanctioned for relief and rehabilitation.
The Chief Minister's visit came amid criticism over his delayed arrival in Pathanamthitta.
The IMD has also forecast continued heavy rain on Wednesday, with Orange Alerts in nine districts, followed by Orange Alerts for Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam on Thursday.
Authorities have warned of flooding, landslides, rising river levels and waterlogging, and have advised people in hilly and riverbank areas to remain on high alert, avoid night travel, and shift to relief camps wherever instructed.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone living abroad, it's heartbreaking to see Kerala suffer every monsoon. The permanent disaster management system is long overdue. Hope the early warning system actually saves lives this time.
"The next flood will not be waited for" - good words, but we've heard this before. The real test is whether desilting actually happens before the next monsoon. Citizens are tired of empty assurances. 😔
At least he's visiting now. The criticism about delayed arrival is valid though - when landslides hit, every minute counts. Deploying helicopters and rushing ministers is good, but prevention through better planning is the real solution.
Having travelled through Kerala's beautiful hill districts, I can only imagine the devastation. The state's resilience is remarkable, but climate change is making these events more frequent. Need national-level cooperation too.
Orange alerts in 9 districts and people are still being told to avoid night travel? The authorities need to be more proactive in evacuating vulnerable areas, especially in places like Idukki where landslides hit without warning.
The relief camps are doing their best, but the psychological trauma of repeated floods is immense. Permanent systems and early warnings are crucial. Let's hope the CM's promises translate into real infrastructure this
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