Delay in bund opening wreaked havoc: Oommen Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram: Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said the flood havoc in Kuttanad would not have been devastating had the state government initiated steps to open Thanneermukkam bund shutters at least a week back.

In a statement here on Saturday, Mr Chandy said the inordinate delay in opening shutters was a grave lapse on the part of the Government. It should take steps to open the shutters without waiting any further. Mr Chandy visited worst affected spots and relief camps in Kuttanad along with former minister K. C. Joseph.

He submitted to the government 15 demands presented by the people and people’s representatives to shore up measures against recurrent natural calamities in Kuttanad.

The government should take immediate steps to reach '3,800 it had announced for families ravaged by floods. The health department should urgently distribute through ward-level sanitation committees bleaching powder, other disinfectants and ointments as diseases loomed over the region lying submerged for the past two weeks.

He demanded immediate filling up of vacancies at taluk hospital at Pulinkunnu and other primary health centres, supply of medicines and organising of medical camps.

Taking into account water scarcity, the administration should reach drinking water in tanks, lorries and boats.

'5,000 should be sanctioned for each family to set up toilets as they had been rendered useless in the floods. Also ensure speedy replacement of documents and certificates lost in the rains.

Crop loss compensation should be given to all, including those without insurance cover since Alappuzha and Kottayam have been declared flood-hit. Also make available seeds, saplings and fertilizer for the next round of cultivation.

The government should bear the financial burden incurred by the people who prevented crop loss in seven out 25 paddy-fields in Kainakari.

The Alappuzha-Changanassery Road should be raised wherever necessary and traffic restored without delay. Panchayats should get sufficient funds to rebuild roads in villages.

Also undertake the reconstruction of Theverlkad-Vellomitra road in Kainakari sixth ward, Nedumudy-Chavara road and civil station bridge-Aravanchal colony taluk hospital road.

The implementation of the second phase of M.S. Swaminathan Commission report should start forthwith and pile slabs constructed in fields left out of the first phase. Local governments should be given adequate funds besides permissive sanction to undertake relief measures.

Dredgers should be pressed into service to drain water from paddy fields since the regular motor platforms, especially in places like Champakulam, have been submerged for days on end.