Rain leaves 10 dead in Keralam; CM vows better warning systems after Pinarayi's flak

Former Keralam chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday (September 21) hit out at the UDF government, accusing it of "neglecting" and "adopting an inhumane approach" towards disaster victims, after 10 people died in the state in rain-related flash floods and landslides.

Vijayan, expressing grief in a Facebook post over the lives lost in the flash floods and landslides due to the unexpected rains in the state on Sunday (September 20), claimed that the state government has not provided the emergency financial assistance promised to victims of the floods that occurred in August.

Flood relief not yet provided: Pinarayi

The CPI(M) veteran said the emergency financial assistance of Rs 10,000 announced for flood victims in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts has not been provided, showing the government's alleged "extreme indifference" towards the people.

He said that of the more than 40,000 people who applied for the assistance in Alappuzha district, only 83 people were allegedly given Rs 5,000 - half of the promised amount. In Kottayam, collection of information about the disaster victims has not even been completed, Vijayan claimed, terming it as "shocking".

Besides these, the government has also not provided the Rs 300 it had promised to those who had lost their jobs or livelihoods due to the rains as the administration has not even started accepting applications for it, he alleged.

Also Read: Parts of Keralam to receive heavy rain till Sep 24; IMD issues alerts for 7 districts

"This shows the government's betrayal of the people," he contended, and demanded that it immediately stop deceiving the people by making empty promises in the face of disaster.

"The financial assistance announced to all eligible flood victims should be distributed without any delay," Vijayan added.

After the floods in the three districts in the first week of August due to extremely heavy rainfall during a short span of time, the CM had announced Rs 10,000 to those whose homes had been flooded, for cleaning their houses. However, there are several reports that the amounts have not been disbursed yet.

‘Developing best disaster management model in India’

Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Monday confirmed that around 10 lives were lost across Kerala, despite the absence of widespread rainfall on Sunday.

"The government will provide all necessary assistance to their families. A decision will be made in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, and it will be implemented as quickly as possible," he said.

Also Read: Monsoon retreat likely to begin around Sept 19, but rains to continue: IMD

He said the government had begun steps to strengthen disaster management mechanisms and establish safety arrangements, particularly in view of sudden weather events. The Chief Minister said the government was working towards developing what he described as the best disaster management model in the country, with district-specific systems based on the different hazards faced by each region.

CM visits Nilambur

The chief minister on Monday visited Nilambur, where six people were swept away in a flash flood in the Kottapuzha River on Sunday evening. Bodies of five people, all tourists from the same district, were recovered during search operations on Sunday and Monday.

The search was continuing for Sajitha, 26, a local resident who was washing clothes on the riverbank when she was swept away by the strong current.

Speaking to reporters in Nilambur, Satheesan said the government had also contacted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and its personnel were assisting in the search operations, which will continue till the missing woman is traced.

Also Read: Kerala rain crisis: 15 dead as key reservoirs hit high-alert levels

"The search will continue. As you know, in Wayanad, we continued our efforts until the last body was recovered. We will certainly maintain that effort here too," he said.

Satheesan said the incident occurred suddenly despite there being no signs of rain at the spot.

"This happened at a time when there wasn't even a cloud in the sky, when suddenly water rushed down from upstream of the river. As you all know, there were many people in the river at that time. Because some information was received from upstream about incoming water and because local people stepped in for rescue operations, we were able to contain the tragedy to this extent," he said.

‘Better warning systems needed’

On the absence of a weather warning in Malappuram on Sunday, Satheesan said the state currently depended on the Indian Meteorological Department for weather forecasts. He said the government would seek greater precision in weather forecasting, as current predictions generally covered broad areas of around 20 to 25 km.

"There is no system in place to warn us that water will suddenly surge down from above," he said.

He said climate change had resulted in changes such as cloudbursts, cyclonic circulations, and extreme rainfall, and that weather forecasts needed to be interpreted more efficiently and scientifically to build better warning systems.

Also Read: Kerala floods, landslides: 4 killed, central districts battered

Satheesan said the proposed disaster management mechanism would have three stages - understanding weather forecasts, strengthening warning systems, and evacuation.

"We are currently framing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) so that actions can be taken immediately," he said.

He said district-specific disaster management plans were essential as the risks varied from one district to another. Satheesan said the government would bring in experts to develop a district-based disaster management system and seek support from the central government, NGOs, and research institutions such as Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). He said the government is confident of establishing an effective system in Keralam within three months.

Increased rainfall expected on Sept 23, 24: IMD

IMD scientist Neetha K Gopal told ANI in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday evening that rainfall would continue on Monday in central and southern Kerala, and that there may be a slight reduction in rainfall on Tuesday (September 22).

However, she said increased rainfall is expected on September 23 and 24 because the well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, and as the system strengthens, possibly into a depression, it is likely to enhance rainfall over Kerala.