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Kerala has sought special financial assistance of Rs. 5660 crore in view of losses caused by monsoon-related calamities in the State.

In a request made to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday evening, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the calamity had affected 1049 of the 1634 villages in the State.

The Chief Minister sought Rs. 3090 for ‘Disaster Resilient Idukki’ package, Rs. 300 crore for insurance scheme for coastal erosion and lighting affected communities, Rs. 2170 for repair of damaged roads and bridges and Rs. 100 crore for equipping the State Disaster Response Force.

Mr. Chandy noted that 175 persons had been killed in monsoon related calamities this season including 16 killed in landslips between August 4 and 7. Besides, 35 persons had been killed by lightening. More than 60000 dwelling units were fully or severely damaged. More than 50 per cent of the roads had also been damaged severely.

The Chief Minister had gone to Delhi leading delegation of political leaders. However, the Opposition leaders had not joined the delegation.

The package for disaster resilient Idukki proposes construction of 1000 km of landslide-resilient roads and bridges (PWD and village roads) at a cost of Rs. 2000 crore. Besides, construction of 10000 disaster-resilient houses for affected people, tribals and BPL communities are to be taken up at a cost of Rs. 600 crore. This would be linked to by linking with the Zero Landless Programme. In addition, input subsidy and crop insurance is to be provided to 100000 farmers (Rs. 200 crore).

The package also has proposals for 40 permanent calamity shelters, hazard early warning systems, alternate communication systems and Mullaperiyar crisis management programme.

The insurance scheme for coastal erosion and lighting affected communities is to cover lightning fatalities, injury, damage to houses and coastal erosion fatalities. Repair of roads are proposed to make about 3280 kilometres motorable.

The disaster response force is proposed to be equipped with Emergency response vehicles including Hazmat Vehicles (Rs. 20 crore), ground penetrating radar (Rs. 1 crore/instrument), tube cameras (Rs. 75 lakh/instrument), fire and water proof clothing (Rs. 2 lakh/clothing set), life saving gear including portable oxygen separators and cylinders and Inflatable boats.