Government-Sponsored Flooding; Dam Opened Without Warning, Says Raju Abraham

Pathanamthitta: CPI(M) district secretary Raju Abraham has alleged that the state government committed serious lapses in issuing warnings during the heavy rain that caused widespread destruction in Pathanamthitta.

Calling the disaster a “government-sponsored flood,” Raju Abraham said no warning was issued before the Moozhiyar Dam was opened.

“In 2018, the dam was opened only after proper warnings were issued. WhatsApp groups were created involving local residents and concerned officials, and warning messages were circulated. None of these measures were taken this time,” he told the media.

He said the consequences of releasing water from the dam without prior warning were severe. The government should bear the losses suffered by all damaged shops, he said.

“If a red alert or any other warning had been issued, people would have had time to move goods from shops and household belongings to safer places,” Abraham said.

Following the 2018 floods, the then state government provided ₹10,000 to every household affected by flooding. Financial assistance of up to ₹3 lakh was also provided for repairing houses that suffered damage after being inundated.

“No such measures have been announced by the government now,” he said.

The government had also guaranteed loans of up to ₹10 lakh for flood-affected businesses, with a subsidy of ₹2 lakh provided on the loans. Households affected by flooding that had Kudumbashree members were offered interest-free loans of up to ₹1 lakh.

“However, the government has not announced any similar assistance this time,” Abraham said.

He also alleged that hundreds of families who had not moved to relief camps had received no support from the Revenue Department to arrange food.

“There are no disaster-management committees. Local residents coordinated the rescue operations. DYFI and CPI(M) workers began rescue work at 4 am and also distributed food,” he said.

He further alleged that P C Vishnunath, the minister in charge of the district, had convened meetings only with Congress workers.