Keralam CM visits family of late swimming instructor who lost his life during flood rescue operations
Thiruvananthapuram, August 6
Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan paid tribute a swimming instructor who lost his life during flood rescue operations in Kannur's Pulingome. VD Satheesan arrived at the home of the swimming instructor R Rajesh in Thiruvananthapuram to extend solidarity to the grieving household.
The swimming instructor, R Rajesh, made the ultimate sacrifice while saving residents during intense flash flood rescue operations in Kannur's Pulingome region.
Severe monsoon flooding across Keralam has claimed at least 25 lives, with four individuals reported missing from the state, according to the latest figures released by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
The death toll comes amidst widespread inundation that has displaced over 18,000 residents in Keralam and forced hundreds of families into relief shelters. 18,434 occupants are currently sheltered across 418 active relief camps, with structural damages rising to 52 completely destroyed houses and 565 partially damaged homes.
Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan, during an on-ground review of relief operations in flood-hit Pathanamthitta district, announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 10,000 for every affected household. In Pathanamthitta alone, 133 relief camps are sheltering more than 6,400 people, mainly in the Thiruvalla region where floodwaters continue to remain stagnant.
Speaking to reporters following a high-level review meeting with district officials at the Kozhencherry Rest House in Aranmula, Chief Minister Satheesan emphasised that full administrative and financial powers have been delegated to district authorities to ensure uninterrupted relief distribution.
As heavy monsoon rains and overflowing rivers triggered severe flooding across parts of Assam as well, authorities in the state stepped up relief and rehabilitation measures, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma providing additional compensation to the next of kin of those who died in the floods.
In Keralam, Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday announced the immediate financial assistance during his visit to flood-hit Pathanamthitta district, where 133 relief camps are currently sheltering more than 6,400 people. Most of the camps are located in the Thiruvalla region, where floodwaters have not yet receded.
The Chief Minister said rivers in the state have lost much of their carrying capacity due to the accumulation of silt and assured that urgent measures would be taken to remove it. He also said Keralam aims to establish India's best weather forecasting system and strengthen disaster management mechanisms in Pathanamthitta.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Keralam's resilience during floods is remarkable, but we keep repeating the same mistakes. Silt accumulation and poor river management are known issues - why weren't preventive measures taken before the monsoon? We mourn our heroes but must also question the lack of long-term planning. The CM's promise of better weather forecasting is welcome, but action speaks louder than words.
Our swimming instructors are trained in lifesaving techniques, but they don't get the recognition they deserve. This brave man died doing his duty while saving others. Government should create a special award for such heroes and include their names in disaster management textbooks. Also, 10,000 rupees per family is too less for flood relief - this is not enough to rebuild lives.
As someone living abroad, it breaks my heart to see the recurring flood devastation in Keralam. The CM visiting personally shows sensitivity, but why so many deaths every time? We have IITs and ISRO-level tech - can we not build better flood prediction and warning systems? My condolences to the instructor's family. 🇮🇳
In Malayalam we say, 'വീരൻ മരിക്കുന്നത് ഒരിക്കൽ മാത്രം, ഭീരു ജീവിക്കുന്നത് ആയിരം തവണ' (A hero dies only once, a coward lives a thousand times). This is a true hero. But why take so long to visit? CM should also ensure all rivers are desilted before every monsoon and make it a regular annual maintenance work.
I appreciate the CM's swift response in visiting the grieving family. Rs
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