The first phase of the disaster relief ie. evacuating and accommodating the people are over. Except 4,62, 456 people in 435 camps, all have returned to their houses. The left out people also will be leaving the camps as soon as the water goes down and they can return to their homes. More than 12,000 homes have been collapsed and new buildings have to be constructed. Even those which have not crumpled down have to cleaned with about two thee feet mud and all kinds of wastes including the dead bodies of the animals. 3,64,000 birds, 3,285 big animals and 14,274 small animals are dead as per reports. About one lakh volunteers, including police, fire service, youth from all parts of the state, college students, employees – all are on the job of cleaning the homes and making it ready for occupation. The furniture, kitchen equipment, electricity connections – restoring / purchasing is a big job. The government is helping, but that will only a part of the expenditure.

302 persons, including women and children have lost their valuable lives. It is only due to the combined efforts of the government, the fishermen, the Navy, Army, police, government officials, volunteers etc. that more causality could be avoided.

Now it is the second phase of restoration and reconstruction. The preliminary loss was calculated as Rs. 20,000 crore, but detailed examination will show it is much more. 40,000 km of PWD roads and 5,000 km of National Highway road have been destroyed. For the restoration of the same, more than Rs. 6,000 crores are required. The government will give Rs. 4 lakh to those whose houses have been destroyed.Where the house and the land have been washed away due to landslide, up Rs, 6 lakhs will be given. Government have printed and is supplying the books for the students, whose books have been destroyed. Everything has to start afresh. It is not only restoration that the government wants, but building a new Kerala. Funds are required and the Chief Minister has called for liberal donations from all.

The response to the appeal of the Kerala Chief Minister for liberal donation to the Disaster Relief Fund is being responded enthusiastically. The state employees, state PSU employees etc. have offered to pay one month’s salary as donation. The Governor as also top IAS officers have offered the same. Malayalees all over the world are sending liberal donations. Workers and people from all over India is sending donations. Kerala thanks all those who support us at this time of difficulty.

This is the time to support Kerala. I am sure that it will be responded well.