Kerala CM visits flood-hit areas, assures full support

Pathanamthitta, Kerala: 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 (IMD) 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, IANS reported.

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.