No lapse in flood response, no extra cost for helicopter: CM Satheesan slams critics

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Defending his government's handling of the devastating rains and firmly rejecting criticism over his helicopter travel, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday asserted that there had been no lapse whatsoever in Kerala's flood management while accusing the Opposition of spreading false narratives during a disaster.

Addressing the media after chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officials, Chief Minister Satheesan said the flood situation was largely under control across Kerala, with Pathanamthitta being the only district where floodwaters were still slowly receding.

CM Satheesan said 316 relief camps have been opened across the state, sheltering 11,018 people.

The death toll has risen to 15, while seven persons remain missing.

CM Satheesan said 14 rescue boats have been moved from Kollam to Pathanamthitta, two helicopters from Sulur have been kept on standby, additional NDRF teams are on the way, and Army units stationed at Kannur and Wayanad are ready for deployment if required.

CM Satheesan said the government had anticipated the possibility of heavy rain and had convened meetings of District Collectors on July 30 and August 1, directing them to ensure that relief camps and emergency arrangements were fully in place before the rains intensified.

He revealed that nearly 165 hectares of farmland belonging to over 3,000 farmers have been damaged, with the Cabinet expected to decide compensation shortly.

Families forced to evacuate their homes will receive Rs 10,000 as immediate relief, while Rs 10,000 has also been sanctioned towards funeral expenses.

Families of those who lost their lives will receive Rs 8 lakh, comprising Rs 4 lakh from SDRF, Rs 2 lakh from CMDRF and Rs 2 lakh from PMRF.

Warning against misinformation, the Chief Minister said rumours that Kerala's dams were overflowing were completely false.

"Most of our dams are well within safe storage levels. Spreading panic through false information during a disaster is irresponsible. The government will initiate strong legal action against those circulating fake narratives," CM Satheesan said, adding that coastal erosion zones were also under constant surveillance.

Referring to the exceptionally intense rainfall, CM Satheesan said some places, including Vadaserikkara, recorded 350 mm of rain, while several other regions received over 300 mm.

Since rainfall exceeding 200 mm is classified as extremely heavy, the Chief Minister said the intensity of the event had surprised even meteorologists.

"I asked IMD experts how such cloudburst-like rainfall could not be predicted. They told me this was a new weather phenomenon driven by rising temperatures and was difficult to forecast," he said.

Responding sharply to criticism over reports that he had stopped for lunch during the height of the crisis, CM Satheesan dismissed the allegations as cheap politics.

"I had gone to offer condolences to the family of a deceased Congress leader. I was requested to have lunch at a nearby house. If having lunch has become a controversy, I apologise, if I had my lunch at 3 pm. Please understand I did not attend a party or a celebration. Wish to know if during the floods in 2018 and 2019, the then Chief Minister was fasting," he asked.

CM Satheesan maintained that his office remained in constant touch with the media, issuing updates every three hours, while the Revenue Minister held multiple press briefings throughout the day.

On the controversy over his helicopter travel to visit his ailing father-in-law, CM Satheesan directly targeted the previous LDF government.

"I did not use the helicopter to attend political meetings as Pinarayi Vijayan did. The helicopter is already under a contract that requires the government to pay a monthly retainer of Rs 80 lakh for 25 flying hours. My journey did not cost the exchequer even a single rupee. Since this government assumed office, the helicopter has been used very sparingly, only during the Wayanad landslide and now for essential travel," he said.

With the political war over the flood response intensifying, the Chief Minister sought to project an administration that was prepared for the disaster, while accusing the Opposition of attempting to score political points through misinformation at a time when rescue and relief operations remain the government's top priority.

Source: IANS