CM Satheesan defends flood response, rejects helicopter criticism

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday defended his government’s handling of the heavy rain and flood situation in Kerala, saying there had been no lapse in the response and accusing the Opposition of spreading misinformation during a disaster.

Addressing reporters after a high-level review meeting with senior officials, Satheesan said the flood situation was largely under control across the state, with Pathanamthitta being the only district where water levels were still receding slowly.

He said 316 relief camps had been opened across Kerala, sheltering 11,018 people. The death toll has risen to 15, while seven people remain missing.

The Chief Minister said 14 rescue boats had been moved from Kollam to Pathanamthitta, two helicopters from Sulur had been kept on standby, additional NDRF teams were on the way, and Army units stationed at Kannur and Wayanad were ready for deployment if needed.

Satheesan said the government had anticipated heavy rain and had held meetings of district collectors on July 30 and Aug 1, directing them to ensure that relief camps and emergency arrangements were in place before the weather worsened.

He said nearly 165 hectares of farmland belonging to more than 3,000 farmers had been damaged, and the Cabinet would soon decide on compensation. Families forced to leave their homes will receive Rs 10,000 as immediate relief, while Rs 10,000 has also been sanctioned for funeral expenses. The families of those who died will receive Rs 8 lakh in total, including assistance from the SDRF, CMDRF and PMRF.

Rejecting rumours that Kerala’s dams were overflowing, the Chief Minister said most reservoirs were still within safe limits. He warned that spreading panic through false information during a disaster was irresponsible and said legal action would be taken against those circulating fake claims.

Referring to the intensity of rainfall, Satheesan said some places, including Vadaserikkara, recorded 350 mm of rain, while several other regions received over 300 mm. He said even meteorologists had been surprised by the cloudburst-like rainfall.

Responding to criticism over reports that he had stopped for lunch during the crisis, the Chief Minister dismissed the allegations as cheap politics. He said he had gone to offer condolences to the family of a deceased Congress leader and was asked to have lunch at a nearby house. He added that the controversy over his meal was misplaced and questioned whether previous chief ministers had remained fasting during floods.

On the criticism over his helicopter travel to visit his ailing father-in-law, Satheesan said the helicopter was under a government contract and his journey did not cost the exchequer any extra money. He said the helicopter had been used sparingly since the present government took office, mainly during the Wayanad landslide and for essential travel.

With political attacks over the flood response growing sharper, the Chief Minister sought to present his administration as prepared and active, while accusing the Opposition of trying to score points through misinformation at a time when rescue and relief operations remain the priority.

(Inputs from IANS)