Rs 31,000 crore needed to rebuild Kerala: UN report

Kerala has suffered a loss of about Rs 31,000 crore in floods that hit the state in August, a report by the United Nations (UN) said on Friday.

UN Resident Coordinator in India Yuri Afanasiev handed over the Post Disaster Needs Assessment report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here. The flood hit the state’s transport sector the most, accounting for a loss of Rs 10,046 crore. Housing (Rs 5,443 crore) and agriculture, fisheries, livestock (Rs 4,498 crore) are other sectors that suffered major losses.

The state government estimates that 483 people died since the onset of the southwest monsoon in the state, on May 29, and about 54 lakh people were affected by the flood that caused the worst damage in Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Wayanad. Landslips were reported at 341 locations across 10 districts. About 14 lakh people were rehabilitated in a massive operation across the state. More than 1.74 lakh buildings were either destroyed or partially damaged.

The UN team has proposed a policy framework for Kerala as it sets out to rebuild after what has been described as the worst flood in the state since 1924. The framework is pegged to four components – integrated water resources management, eco-friendly land use, an inclusive, people-centric approach and the use of innovative technology.

The report also mentions the involvement of 4,537 fishermen who joined the rescue operations in 669 boats. Their efforts are estimated to have brought at least 65,000 stranded people to safety.

During discussions with the chief minister, Afanasiev assured the UN’s assistance in funding for the state resources and technology of global standards to aid its rebuilding exercise, an official statement said. The UN will also introduce the state to successful international models in post-disaster recovery. The CPM-led state government has been mobilising financial assistance from across the world through the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.