Thiruvananthapuram: As part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project, the state government will set up 10 multi-purpose cyclone shelters in different districts to house people during natural calamities.
This will enable the authorities to spare schools and educational institutions which are converted into relief camps during calamities. Some schools become relief camps round the year, especially in the coastal belt, for the victims who get displaced during cyclones, flooding and other calamities.
The shelters will be set up at a cost of Rs 50 crore, and 75 per cent of the fund would come from the centre. The state had identified 29 spots for the project but only 10 were found feasible and they would be completed by 2021.
“During the floods, Kerala had the best relief camps compared to other states. Our relief operations had received many accolades. But we can do better and provide better facilities for the displaced families. The shelter homes would meet international standards,” said member secretary Shekhar Lukose Kuriakose, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
The KSDMA has roped in the PWD for implementing the project. “We will closely monitor the project which would be implemented by the PWD,” Mr Shekhar added. The shelters would provide quality boarding for the displaced, including women, children, men and differently- abled. There will be adequate number of toilet facilities and full-fledged kitchen to cater to the needs of the inhabitants. Women and children will have separate facilities,” he said.
Land availability was a major issue. “The actual plan was to set up cyclone shelters at 29 spots but we didn’t get clearance from the local bodies and some of the spots identified were not feasible,” he added.
The shelters would benefit the community. “Some of the similar shelters set up earlier in the state were not properly used for a long period and they became dilapidated. The shelters would be made available to the community and educational institutions to ensure that they are used round the year,” said Mr Shekhar.
