‘Rajesh to be laid to rest with state honours, financial aid for shops destroyed in rain fury’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The demise of Rajesh of Kalliyoor is painful, said Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The chief minister during the press meet convened said Rajesh, who died during rescue operations, will be laid to rest with full state honours. He also said that a decision has been taken to complete the construction of his house.

‘The death toll in the rain fury has risen to 26. Four are missing. There are presently 452 relief camps in the state. Agricultural loss of Rs 67.44 crore has been estimated. Rs 10,000 will be given to everyone whose house has been flooded. Rs 6 lakh will be given to people whose houses have been damaged completely. Rs 10,000 will be given to each shop damaged in the rain fury. This is a new decision as this financial aid was not given during the floods in 2018. An amount of Rs 8 lakh will be given to the kin of the dead.

Punargeyham project for the fishermen will be renewed. Flood mapping will be conducted in accidental prone areas. The irrigation and the revenue departments have been directed to implement a plan to remove excess soil, waste and silt from rivers and dams. The removal of the sand alone will reduce the problem by half. A modern system will be introduced for dam management. Work will begin as soon as the rains stop. Land auditing will be conducted to detect river bank encroachment,' clarified the chief minister.