Thiruvananthapuram: The UN Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report has estimated Rs 31,000 crore loss in the state due to recent devastating floods: The PDNA report was submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by U.N. Resident Coordinator Yuri Afan-asief here on Friday.
The maximum damage is estimated to be in transport followed by housing, agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry and allied sectors and livelihood. The UN official assured the Chief Minister that it would assist in making available internationally recognised technical expertise for rebuilding exercise of Kerala. Besides, the agency will help in ensuring mobilisation of resources, planning and monitoring of the projects.
The UN will also arrange platforms to introduce the state to successful models of post disaster revival.
The UN lauded the massive rescue operations. It said the effective coordination between different departments and agencies helped in saving a large number of people.
The report particularly highlighted the role played by fishermen in rescuing people from the flood affected areas. It noted that 4537 fishermen in 669 boats participated in the rescue operations. Because of their efforts the lives of more than 65,000 people could be saved. The report termed the floods as the biggest after 1924 flood. From June 1 to August 18, the state received rainfall which was 42 percent more than the normal. Between Aug-ust 15 and 17 some places received 300 to 400 cm rainfall. Because of the heavy rainfall the dams had to be opened.
Landslides took place in 341 places across 10 districts. The floods had affected al 14 districts. Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Patha-namthitta, Thrissur, Way-anad districts were the worst affected. The floods impacted 54 lakh people across the state.
After submitting the report, the UN team had a detailed discussion with the chief minister. Murali Thummarakudy, Job Zac-hariah, Annie George, Ra-njini Mukhejee represented the UN side.
Ministers Thomas Isaac, E Chandrashekharan, G Sudhakaran, K.K. Shailaja, J Mercy Kutty Amma, V.S. Sunil Kumar, chief secretary Tom Jose and other senior officials represented the government .
14 lakh people had to be shifted to relief camps from the affected areas. The drinking water supply to almost 20 per cent population was badly affected, 3 lakh wells were destroyed, 1,74,500 houses were damaged fully or partially. If the primary sectors are taken, the loss of the state comes to almost one third of its internal income.
The UN has put forward a four level policy frame work for chief minister’s Nava Kerala project; integrated water resources management, environment friendly land utilisation, inclusive people centric stand and use of advanced technology.
The UN has proposed environment friendly proposals for rebuilding exercise. Review of Land use system, change in consumption pattern, system, effective building construction technology that could withstand floods, use of solar power, integrated solid waste management and effective green protocol in tourism industry.
The UN team said the pre-fabricated technology was the most suitable for housing. They pointed outthat the technology is less expensive and lasting.
