Focus turns to rehabilitation

Officials have started restoring infrastructure, medical units in Kerala

The rescue operations continued in full swing on Sunday bringing more than 22,034 to safety from various parts of the flood affected areas mainly Chengannur. The death toll rose to 210.

At the moment the priority will be to restore street lights and water pumping stations. Local bodies will conduct a preliminary examination of the houses in each ward to ensure there is no danger. With slush, mud and contaminated water entering houses, the next big challenge will be to clean up these places.

Proper disposal of waste will be ensured. The government plans to enrol volunteers in a big way under the local bodies for cleaning operations in the affected areas. An official of local bodies and six health inspectors will be deployed in each village and volunteers will work under their instructions. A waste management and waste clearance protocol will be put in place in each village.

A large number of elderly people have been affected by the floods. The doctors will give priority in treating such people and ensuring they get regular supply of medicines. Senior officials of the railways and NHAI officials held meetings on Sunday. They have assured to restore train services and transport services at the earliest.

The total damage to rods is pegged at ` 4,441crore, 221 bridges have been affected by floods of which 59 are still under water. The govermnet had earlier set aside `1.000 crore for roads maintenance which will be now utilised for the first phase of repair.

IT based system will be put in place to disburse certificates and other important document that were destroyed in the floods.

— PTI/AP (left to right) Livestock and people walk past a damaged road caused due to heavy monsoon rainfall, in Kodagu on Sunday. Volunteers reach out to stranded people with food supplies in a flooded area in Chengannur in Kerala on Sunday.