Thiruvananthapuram, August 3: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has responded to concerns regarding flood management and the use of a government helicopter for personal travel. On Monday, he asserted that there has been no lapse in flood management in the state. He accused the opposition of spreading misinformation during this crisis.
After a high-level review meeting with senior officials, CM Satheesan informed the media that the flood situation in Kerala is largely under control. Pathanamthitta is the only district where floodwaters are gradually receding.
He reported that 316 relief camps have been established across the state, providing shelter to 11,018 individuals. The death toll has risen to 15, with seven people still missing.
The Chief Minister noted that 14 rescue boats have been dispatched from Kollam to Pathanamthitta, and two helicopters are on standby in Sulur. Additional teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been called in, and army units stationed in Kannur and Wayanad are prepared for deployment if needed.
He mentioned that the government anticipated heavy rainfall and convened meetings with district collectors on July 30 and August 1. They were instructed to ensure that relief camps and emergency measures were fully prepared before the rains intensified.
Over 3,000 farmers have suffered damage to approximately 165 hectares of agricultural land, and the cabinet is expected to make a decision on compensation soon. Families forced to evacuate will receive immediate relief of ₹10,000, with an additional ₹10,000 approved for funeral expenses. Families of the deceased will receive ₹800,000, which includes ₹400,000 from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), ₹200,000 from the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF), and ₹200,000 from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (PMRF).
Warning against misinformation, the Chief Minister stated that rumors about the overflow of Kerala’s dams are entirely false. He remarked, “Spreading panic through misinformation during a disaster is irresponsible. The government will take strict legal action against those disseminating falsehoods.”
He also emphasized that areas prone to coastal erosion are being closely monitored. Regarding the heavy rainfall, CM Satheesan noted that some areas, including Vadaserikara, recorded 350 mm of rain, while many others experienced over 300 mm. Rainfall exceeding 200 mm is categorized as ‘very heavy.’ The intensity of this event has surprised meteorologists.
He inquired of weather department experts why they could not predict such intense rainfall. They explained that it was a new phenomenon caused by rising temperatures, making it difficult to forecast.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister criticized the controversy surrounding his lunch engagement. He stated, “I went to express condolences to the family of a deceased Congress leader. I was invited to lunch at a nearby home. If having lunch at 3 PM has become a controversy, I apologize. Please understand that I was not attending a party or celebration. I wonder if the previous Chief Minister was on a fast during the floods of 2018 and 2019?”
The Chief Minister added that his office has been in constant communication with the media, providing updates every three hours, while the revenue minister conducted multiple press briefings throughout the day.
Regarding the helicopter travel controversy to visit his ill father, he directly targeted the previous LDF government. He stated, “I did not use the helicopter for political meetings like Pinarayi Vijayan. The helicopter is under a contract that requires the government to pay ₹8 million for 25 flight hours monthly. My trip did not cost the government a single rupee. Since this government took office, the helicopter has been used very sparingly.”
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