Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday took stock of the situation in the state which is reeling under heavy flooding and rains this past week. In a rare incidence however, it was the Leader of Opposition, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who accompanied Pinarayi on his aerial survey along with Chief Secretary Tom Jose and Kerala Police Chief Loknath Behra.
After failing to land in Idukki due to an overcast sky, the team reached Wayanad, where at the meeting he also announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to all those who lost their homes, while those who had lost both their homes and other properties would get Rs 10 lakh.
Each person put up in relief camps would receive Rs 3,800, the CM said.
Special adalats will also be conducted for those who have lost documents like ration cards and other IDs, and no fee will be charged for this. Officials have been given instructions to urgently decide on the date of the adalat. Students who have lost textbooks, will be given new ones. Swift action will be taken to repair flood-damaged roads, the CM announced.
Taking stock of the situation in Wayanad, Ramesh Chennithala also told the media that in Wayanad the need of the hour was medical camps. Wayanad had come under severe stress on account of the rains that has led to large scale destruction of property due to landslides. Around 10,000 people in the district are languishing in some 200 relief camps.
Pinarayi and his team also visited the camps and interacted with the people. They pledged them all help and support.
The CM also instructed officials to provide clean drinking water to the people who are stranded and those staying in relief camps. Urging water authorities to get in touch with district collectors, he reiterated that drinking water must reach people in the camps.
From Wayanad, Vijayan and the team left for Kochi.
A short video clip shared on Pinarayi’s Facebook page shows the CM and others sitting in a helicopter as well.
The Met Department said on Saturday that the highest rainfall recorded this week was in Nilambur and Malappuram, which saw 40 cm of rain. Munnar and Peerumedu saw 25 cms each on August 9, 2018.
(with IANS inputs)