Are Kerala's dams safe? CM Satheesan reveals water level data amidst floods

Kerala has so far recorded 15 deaths and seven missing persons in rain-related disasters across the state. Crops spread over 165 hectares have been damaged, while 11,018 people are staying in 316 relief camps.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said immediate assistance of ₹10,000 has been sanctioned for the funeral expenses of those who died. Families returning from relief camps to homes that were flooded will receive ₹10,000 for cleaning and restoration. The ex gratia compensation for the families of the deceased is ₹8 lakh.

The Chief Minister warned that strict action would be taken against those spreading false information, including claims that water is being released from dams. He said it was irresponsible to circulate misinformation through social media that creates panic among the public. The water level in the state's major dams remains low, and only the Moozhiyar dam is facing a minor issue, he added.

"The water levels in all the major dams are very low. There is absolutely no reason for the public to panic. False information is being spread through social media and other platforms," the Chief Minister said.

"Let me give you the figures: Idukki reservoir: 38.91%; Idamalayar: 46.64%; Banasura Sagar: 52.9%; Kakki: 44.82%; Kallada: 45%; Malampuzha: 35%; and Peechi: 34%.

"Therefore, reports claiming that water is being released from reservoirs are completely false. We will take strict action against those spreading such misinformation because it is creating unnecessary panic among the public."

He also announced that financial assistance for families whose houses were washed away in landslides and cannot be rebuilt at the same location has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh. Assistance for constructing a new house has been raised from ₹4 lakh to ₹6 lakh.

Satheesan said many of the disasters were caused by highly unpredictable, extremely heavy rainfall.

"What needs to be understood is that what happened in many places resembled a flash flood. Until late at night, there was no prediction, not even from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The extremely heavy rainfall developed suddenly during the night.

"The biggest challenge with such extreme rainfall is that by the time we know where it is occurring, there is often no time left to carry out evacuation. The warning messages themselves are issued very late at night. Even within the IMD's current system, there are limitations in predicting such events.

"Normally, rainfall exceeding 200 mm is classified as extremely heavy rainfall. But in some places this time, rainfall exceeded 300 mm. This is the nature of the phenomenon we are dealing with."

Responding to the controversy over attending a meal during the heavy rains, the Chief Minister said he had been in touch with district collectors, MLAs and ministers from 5 a.m., as soon as he received information about the weather, and had ensured that all necessary arrangements were in place. When he asked officials whether his presence at the affected sites was required, they told him it was not. He therefore attended a previously scheduled programme.

"I went to have lunch at around 3 p.m. that day. Is that wrong? I did not know that during the 2018 and 2019 floods, the then Chief Minister had remained without food. When I reached Malappuram, lunch had been prepared at a friend's house. I went there to eat, but a disgraceful smear campaign was launched over it. I did not go for a reception or banquet; I simply went to have a meal," he said.

The Chief Minister also rejected allegations that the government had failed in its response to the rain disaster, saying the Leader of the Opposition had made politically motivated accusations.

"I have seen floods far worse than this. In my constituency, we accommodated 75,000 people in relief camps. During the first three days, we did not even have a grain of rice and had to borrow supplies from markets in Ernakulam and Kodungallur. At a time when torrential rains were causing devastation, the Leader of the Opposition chose to hold a press conference and make political allegations," he said.

When asked about the government’s preparedness, CM said that it was he who had presented the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.

“Kerala is a highly vulnerable state,” he said. “I had said in the Assembly itself that we face a situation where extremely heavy rainfall can occur at any time. That is precisely why we are working to strengthen our disaster management systems.”