Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said those who have encroached waterways will not be given any protection.
Mr. Vijayan was responding to a question over the encroachments in Cheruthoni in Idukki district at a media interaction following a review meeting held to take stock of the flood situation at Aluva, in Kochi, on Saturday afternoon.
Since flooding caused by opening of dam shutters has not happened for over a quarter century, many may have built houses in low-lying areas. As many as 22 dams across the State have been opened in recent times due to increase in the inflow.
Hailing all agencies for their effective intervention, Mr. Vijayan said that the State has set a model in fighting a disaster by projecting a united face without any differences.
The concerted efforts of Central and State governments have made possible facing the challenge posed by the disaster, he added.
Mr. Vijayan said that State government will grant Rs. 4 lakh to those who have lost their homes and an additional Rs. 6 lakh to the ones who have lost both their land along with their homes. Though Rs. 1 lakh is usually granted in the case of loss of homes, Mr. Vijayan said the compensation has been increased considering "this unprecedented natural calamity."
In the case of damaged houses, funds will be disbursed depending on the extent of damage. Increased compensation is being given for crop loss as well.
Mr. Vijayan said that the formalities will be simplified for the reissue of valuable documents lost and adalats will be held in places where there were a large number of people with missing documents. Arrangements will be made at schools for the free distribution of textbooks to students who had lost them in the floods.
Assistance to the tune of Rs. 3,800 will be given to people while they leave the relief camps for their homes. Observing that flood waters have brought reptiles in their wake, Mr. Vijayan said that arrangements will be made in hospitals to treat snake bites.
Mr. Vijayan emphasised on the significance of post-flood sanitation to avoid breakout of epidemics. He urged local bodies to undertake sanitation works with the support of volunteers in their limits. Steps will be taken to restore damaged roads.
He appreciated the state of relief camps and said that it is important to keep it that way.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Vijayan arrived at the Kochi airport by a helicopter from Wayanad. He was accompanied by opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, Revenue Minister E. Chandrashekharan, State Police Chief Loknath Behra, Chief Secretary Tom Jose and Additional Chief Secretary P.H. Kurian. Mr. Vijayan visited three relief camps including at Thelathuruth and Kunnukara.
