Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 2: The death toll in the rain-related disasters that lashed Kerala has risen to eight, with eight people still missing and 13 injured, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Sunday, while assuring financial assistance to families who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the government is in constant touch with the Revenue Minister, ministers in charge of the affected districts and district administrations to monitor the situation. He noted that the reduction in rainfall compared to Saturday was encouraging.
Cleanup operations have commenced in flood-hit areas, and the Chief Minister appealed to political workers and voluntary organisations to actively participate in the restoration efforts, assuring full government support.
According to the latest official figures, 5,792 people have been shifted to 209 relief camps across the state. As many as 27 houses have been completely destroyed, while 196 houses have suffered partial damage.
Satheesan said the government would extend all necessary assistance to the families of the deceased as well as those who have lost their homes and means of livelihood. He also urged people in hilly regions to remain vigilant despite the decline in rainfall, stating that authorities are prepared to tackle any further emergencies. People's representatives and volunteers are actively engaged in relief operations, he added.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for 12 districts -- Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod -- warning of heavy rainfall, flash floods, mudslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has also issued red alerts for the Moozhiyar, Kallarkutty, Erattayar, Lower Periyar and Peringalkuttu dams, while an orange alert has been sounded for the Kuttyadi dam.
On Saturday, the IMD had upgraded its warning to a red alert for Pathanamthitta, Idukki and other districts after torrential rain had already triggered widespread damage. Under Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) protocol, an orange alert requires authorities to initiate preventive measures and preparedness.