Chief Minister V D Satheesan Faces Criticism for Attending Private Luncheon As Keralam Grapples with Flood

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V D Satheesan has come under sharp criticism for attending private programmes instead of intervening in relief operations as Keralam grappled with widespread flooding and rain-related devastation.

Despite nine people reportedly dying and extensive damage being caused by heavy rain on Saturday, the Chief Minister did not respond to questions regarding relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, Satheesan, who is also the chairperson of the State Disaster Management Authority, found time to attend a luncheon hosted by a Muslim League leader in Ponnani.

Videos showing the Chief Minister arriving for lunch and attending the gathering at the Ponnani residence of Youth League vice-president Faisal Bafaqi Thangal were widely circulated on social media, triggering strong criticism. Faisal Bafaqi Thangal shared the visuals of Satheesan’s visit on his Facebook page. Several people criticised the Chief Minister in the comments section.

Many social media users pointed out that when Keralam faced similar crises in the past, then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had cancelled all his scheduled programmes and personally coordinated relief operations.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said the negligence and lack of coordination on the part of the government during such a critical situation could not be accepted.

“While the Chief Minister attended a luncheon in Ponnani, people were living in fear for their lives. There were serious failures in issuing rain warnings and making disaster-management preparations,” Govindan said.

A A Rahim MP said he initially found it difficult to believe the video. “I never expected the Chief Minister to display such a lack of judgement while the state was flooded and people were in distress,” he said.

There were also allegations of major failures by the offices of the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister in coordinating operations during the disaster. Government agencies reportedly faced delays in reaching several affected areas, while district administrations were accused of failing to carry out emergency relief work effectively in many places.

At Perumathura in Chirayinkeezhu, coastal police reportedly arrived only 13 hours after fishermen went missing at sea. Fishermen protested against the government negligence by blocking the police station and the coastal road.

Pathanamthitta, which received exceptionally heavy rainfall, remained under an orange alert until Friday night. The warning had indicated that isolated places could receive between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm of rain within 24 hours. However, Lahai in Pathanamthitta recorded 248 mm of rainfall by 8.30 am on Saturday.

A warning indicating rainfall comparable to red-alert conditions was issued only after midnight. An alert that river levels could rise to near-flood levels was issued only after 10 am on Saturday. The possibility of coastal erosion and rough seas had been flagged only for Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

By Saturday morning, people in several areas, including parts of Pathanamthitta that received heavy rainfall, had been left stranded.