The focus will now shift to rebuilding, with the flood-hit people beginning to return home from relief camps, A.C. Moideen, Minister for Local Self-Governments, said on Friday.
Local bodies will have to find alternative facilities for camp inmates who cannot return home, once schools functioning as camps reopen after holidays. Mr. Moideen directed officials to execute various activities, including waste treatment, in association with local bodies.
Sanitation campaign is under way in association with voluntary organisations and the public, while efforts are on to restore power connectivity, the Minister said at a review meeting held at Kanayannur taluk on Friday.
Over one lakh kits of essential items, including five kilograms of rice, will be distributed in the district. Animal carcasses and other wastes being removed from houses will be scientifically treated.
Cleaning materials like bleaching powder in short supply should be bought by local bodies using either own funds or funds set apart for long-term project implementation.
Equipment owned by workers engaged under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme or Ayyankali Labour Scheme can be used for the sanitation drive.
E-waste and plastic waste should be segregated and stored by the local bodies concerned, so that the Suchitwa Mission can lift them.
The Minister requested those supplying relief materials at camps to make steel plates and glasses available. The Kerala Water Authority should take measures to supply drinking water on a war footing either in association with the local bodies. The Motor Vehicles Department should make available adequate vehicles. Drinking water will be supplied in boats in the marooned islands of Kadamakkudy and Pizhala.
The Health authorities are providing necessary treatment facilities at camps. Those reported with chicken pox at two camps have been moved to separate camps. Vaccines will be distributed to camp inmates.
The Health Department and voluntary organisations will offer counselling to the flood-hit people who have not recovered from shock.
The Health Department can recruit people on temporary basis in case of manpower shortage.
A common form is being prepared for the grant of compensation. Mr. Moideen hailed government servants and people from all walks of life who, he said, were doing a commendable job, offering relief without even celebrating Onam and hoped that they would continue their efforts.
MLAs Hibi Eden, V.K. Ibrahim Kunju, M. Swaraj, S. Sarma, and John Fernandez; corporation councillor A.B. Sabu, Revenue Divisional Officer S. Shajahan, Deputy Collector P.B. Sunil Lal, Kanayannur tahsildar N.R. Vrinda Devi, and other district-level officials attended the meeting.