Saudi Gazette

IT has been more than two months since Kerala witnessed the most devastating floods in almost 100 years. Many argue that the opening of the dams caused such havoc. Though the destruction left an economic loss in crores of rupees, the South Indian State decided not to give up and has withstood the catastrophe with strength and courage.

The first fully solar-powered airport in the world (Cochin International Airport) was submerged in the waters but was brought back to life within two weeks after the floods subsided.

The whole State was in shock when on August 15 the water level started to rise to even the second floor of the houses in many areas. People were trapped on the terrace. Not to mention that the foundations of some houses were damaged and some of them floated away. Nobody was prepared to face the worst.

Floods occur in different parts of the world but the one that ripped Kerala taught the world many good lessons. Firstly, people united as one to provide relief to the victims. We could witness no religion and politics, only humanity. Volunteers appeared in no time. Thousands of relief camps and collection centers were opened in places that were not affected by the floods. People from all over India and other countries sent tons of relief materials that were required. Some people say that there may be no other region in the world that has received relief donations in such a huge amount. They add that there are no words to acknowledge the love that has been poured out to the people of Kerala.

What touched the State the most was the arrival of fishermen with their boats, the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy with helicopters to the rescue. Kerala will always be grateful to these men who took huge risks to save many lives.

Many heroes were recognized. A police officer who carried an infant and ran over a bridge amidst the rising waters to reach a hospital, an officer who saved a pregnant woman via a helicopter, a fisherman who acted as a step to help people climb the boat and an eight-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu who donated her piggy bank savings to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund are only a few to be named. Among the district collectors, four of them became role models for society.

Technology indeed played a huge role in connecting and communicating with victims. Social media was turned into a 24/7 online control room. The volunteers and victims shared relief contact details on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Video messages on how to charge a phone without electricity and how to float on water were helpful. Hashtags #DoForKerala, #StandWithKerala, #WeWillOvercome and #ReBuildKerala were trending.

Though many people lost their homes, they did not forget to smile. Many of them spent time in the relief camps by singing and dancing to music along with volunteers. They were enjoying the unity in diversity. They even celebrated Eid and Onam festivals.

After the floods, when many had to return to their homes, there were volunteers ready to help them clean their houses. For those who lost everything, nothing but hope awaited them. The ones who suffered the most were not the rich or the poor but the middle class families who lost everything they had earned in their lifetime.

On August 25, the Chief Minister’s Office posted on Twitter: “Updates on restoration works: 131,683 houses have been cleaned, which is 31% of the total flood-hit houses. Electricity has been restored for 23.36 lakh connections of the 25.6 lakh disrupted. 14,314 transformers (out of 16,158 affected) are now functioning.#KeralaFloodRelief”

September 19: “Now there are only 80 flood relief camps in the State, and these camps host 2,457 persons from 787 families. More than 1.4 million people have returned to their homes.”

September 20: “Update On Relief Efforts: The financial assistance of Rs.10,000 for the flood affected has been disbursed to 5.52 lakh beneficiaries. The compensation given to families of those who lost their lives in the flood has been granted to 331 families.”

October 12: “Collectors will make plans for relocating those living in environmentally fragile areas and in areas where constructions are not allowed. Those who are planning to relocate on their own will be allowed to do that and will be provided financial assistance as per the norms.”

The Government of Kerala has also launched a web portal of the crowdfunding initiative to help rebuild the State.

One can only hope that these initiatives are actually helping the victims build a new life. Many families in certain areas who applied for financial assistance have not yet received it and are still waiting.

It may take a while for the people of Kerala to get back on track. Many people have lost their loved ones too. But nobody is running away. The whole State is on a mission to recover. Social bonds have been strengthened and people have become more kind towards one another.

Despite the fact that there is more work to be done to rebuild the environment, Kerala has been reopened to the world for tourism. Certain interesting spots have been developed by nature itself. An old river in Palakkad has been transformed into a new one with no pollution just like a beach side and people from different places are already visiting the site. A sand bank has been formed in Ponnani sea splitting it into two and people are finding it amazing to walk through it.