Kerala unveils extensive flood relief package and long-term resilience plan as death toll reaches 26

Thiruvananthapuram: As floodwaters gradually begin to recede across several parts of Kerala, the state government on Wednesday unveiled an extensive relief package alongside a long-term disaster resilience program. The announcement comes as the India Meteorological Department issued warnings of fresh heavy rainfall and strong winds over the next five days.

Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan confirmed that rain-related incidents this monsoon season have claimed 26 lives, injured 11 people, and left four missing. Currently, 27,048 displaced individuals are residing in 462 relief camps across the state, where officials have capped occupancy at 150 inmates per camp to ensure improved living conditions. Preliminary assessments indicate that 23,507 farmers have been affected, with crop damage across 1,882 hectares resulting in losses estimated at ₹67 crore.

To address the immediate fallout, the Cabinet approved enhanced financial relief across multiple sectors. Families of those deceased will receive ₹8 lakh in compensation along with ₹10,000 toward funeral expenses, while households affected by inundation will be given ₹10,000 in immediate relief. Financial assistance for completely destroyed homes has been increased to ₹12 lakh, and agricultural compensation for crop loss has been raised by 25 percent.

In a first for the state, small traders and shop owners impacted by the floods will receive ₹10,000 each. Furthermore, the government introduced a special rehabilitation package offering soft loans of up to ₹12 lakh for affected micro, small, and medium enterprises, homestays, and small businesses, supported by either a 25 percent government-funded margin grant or a nine percent interest subsidy over five years.

Looking beyond immediate relief, the government announced an ambitious Disaster Management Resilience Programme designed to mitigate future monsoon devastation. The initiative features an AI-driven dam management system—previously announced in the State Budget and slated as a national model—alongside advanced climate prediction, precise flood mapping, and scientific monitoring. Mass desilting of rivers and reservoirs, including the removal of sediment deposited during the 2018 floods, will also be undertaken to restore water flow capacities. Additional decisions include rebuilding damaged coastal infrastructure, introducing a new housing scheme for fishermen, and releasing the first installment of the 2026–27 local body development funds.

The Chief Minister also paid tribute to rescue workers, announcing a state funeral for Rajesh, a veteran scuba diver who died during flood relief operations, and confirming that the government will complete and hand over a house to his surviving family. Satheesan noted that compensation has now been fully disbursed to the families of all 248 victims of the 2024 Thrissur flood disaster. Responding to queries regarding the Punarjani project controversy, the Chief Minister reiterated that multiple Vigilance and FCRA inquiries conducted while he was in the Opposition found no evidence of corruption, with the latest Vigilance report submitted on June 26 recommending that no further action be taken.

(Inputs from IANS)