The rescue operations continued in full swing on Sunday bringing more than 22,034 to safety from various parts of the flood affected areas mainly Chengannur. The death toll rose to 210. Meanwhile, Pope Francis on Sunday appealed to the international community to provide ‘concrete support’ to tens of thousands of flood victims in Kerala, calling the deluge a ‘great calamity’.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 7.24 lakh persons have been lodged in 5,645 relief camps across the state. During the first phase the focus was on saving lives, the next big challenge is to bring the displaced people back to normal life. However, the efforts will continue to save people who are still marooned. Pinarayi said a detailed plan has been chalked out for relief and rehabilitation. All materials required in relief camps would be provided. Specific responsibility has been entrusted with officials for relief camps. Water and food will have to be ensured for those returning home.
All water resources which got contaminated during the floods will have to be cleaned. The most important task is to make purified and safe drinking water available. The pipelines that got snapped will be fixed. The presence of women constables will be ensured in each relief camp. The power supply which has been cut in many parts will have to be restored after taking measures to prevent mishaps.
At the moment the priority will be to restore street lights and water pumping stations. Local bodies will conduct a preliminary examination of the houses in each ward to ensure there is no danger. With slush, mud and contaminated water entering houses, the next big challenge will be to clean up these places. Proper disposal of waste will be ensured. The government plans to enrol volunteers in a big way under the local bodies for cleaning operations in the affected areas. An official of local bodies and six health inspectors will be deployed in each village and volunteers will work under their instructions. A waste management and waste clearance protocol will be put in place in each village.
A large number of elderly people have been affected by the floods. The doctors will give priority in treating such people and ensuring they get regular supply of medicines. Senior officials of the railways and NHAI officials held meetings on Sunday. They have assured to restore train services and transport services at the earliest. The total damage to rods is pegged at Rs 4,441crore, 221 bridges have been affected by floods of which 59 are still under water. The govermnet had earlier set aside Rs 1.000 crore for roads maintenance which will be now utilised for the first phase of repair. IT based system will be put in place to disburse certificates and other important document that were destroyed in the floods. DC
