"Food Packets Have Been Prepared for Distribution Through Helicopters and Ground Teams, He Said

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said Monday that 15 people have died and seven remain missing in rain-related incidents across the state, with rescue and relief operations continuing amid heavy downpours. Speaking after chairing an emergency meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority, he said conditions were under control in all districts except parts of Pathanamthitta. Fourteen fishing boats from Kollam have been deployed to Chengannur, two helicopters from Sulur have arrived in Thiruvananthapuram, and one National Disaster Response Force team is in the affected area.

"Food packets have been prepared for distribution through helicopters and ground teams, he said. As of 9 am Monday, 316 relief camps were sheltering 11,018 people. District-wise, Kottayam reported three deaths, including two from Erattupetta and a child who fell into a tank at Puthuppally; Idukki two; Vizhinjam and Muthalapozhi one each, with one missing in each; Kollam two deaths and two missing; Malappuram four deaths and one missing; Kannur one death and two missing; and Kozhikode one death.

One NDRF team has been deployed to Pathanamthitta and two to Kottayam, with two more requested from Arakkonam. "Helicopters have already arrived. Directions have been issued to deploy Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel in Alappuzha if necessary, he said.

Preliminary estimates show crop damage across 164.98 hectares affecting 3,596 farmers, with figures likely to rise. Satheesan dismissed social media rumours about dam water releases as "entirely false, noting reservoir levels: Idukki at 38.91 per cent, Edamalayar 46.64, Banasura Sagar 52.9, Kakki 44.82, Kallada 45, Malampuzha 35, and Peechi 34. "Strict action will be taken against those spreading such rumours, he warned. Relief measures include ₹10,000 funeral expenses per deceased, ₹10,000 immediate assistance for families returning from camps, ₹300 per person (up to two per ration card) for lost livelihoods, and ₹8 lakh total compensation per deceased.

Assistance for houses destroyed in major landslides rises from ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh. On crop compensation, he said existing rates were too low, citing ₹13,500 for two-and-a-half acres of damaged paddy, and that revised proposals would be announced after the next Cabinet meeting. He noted no problems at any major reservoir, with inspections following 2022 guidelines.

"This was a flash flood event. Until late in the night, there was no indication from the India Meteorological Department that such an extreme event would occur, he said."