The district administration has sought an immediate relief of Rs. 5.35 crore from the State government to meet the extensive damage inflicted by the monsoon.
The monsoon has claimed two lives in Muvattupuzha taluk and one in Aluva.
Of the assistance sought, Rs. 5 crore is for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges. District Collector P.I. Sheikh Pareed requested Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to allocate Rs. 25 lakh for compensating those with damaged houses and Rs. 10 lakh towards meeting other expenses. The Collector brought the monsoon calamities in the district to the notice of the Chief Minister during a video conference Mr. Chandy had with district collectors on Friday morning. The Chief Minister promised immediate action on the demand to hike the aid for the victims and those injured in natural calamities.
All agencies associated with relief activities have been asked to maintain round-the-clock vigil. The Chief Minister said that the government can be approached any time for simplifying the procedures and emergency intervention. Mr. Chandy ordered immediate steps to resolve the traffic blocks on the Edappally-Aroor stretch owing to potholes on the road. The district administration is free to take short-term measures. According to reports received from taluks across the district, monsoon accounted for a collective loss to the tune of Rs. 1.47 crore. Seven houses have been destroyed and 222 houses damaged, accounting for a loss of Rs. 38.40 lakh. Crops on 14.70 hectares have been damaged, causing a loss of Rs. 1.16 crore. The KSEB suffered a loss of Rs. 80,000. Eight wells caved in. Three relief camps are operating in the district – one in Karumaloor village accommodating 22 families, one in Nadama village accounting for 18 families and in Chellanam where 75 families have been housed.
