Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday defended his government's handling of the recent flood situation, asserting that there had been no lapse in disaster management and dismissing criticism over his helicopter travel during the crisis. Addressing the media after a high-level review meeting with senior officials, he accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation at a time when the administration was focused on rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister said the flood situation was largely under control, with Pathanamthitta remaining the only district where floodwaters were still receding.

Providing an update on relief efforts, Satheesan said 316 relief camps have been established across the state, accommodating 11,018 people. He confirmed that the death toll had risen to 15, while seven people remain missing. To strengthen rescue operations, 14 boats have been shifted from Kollam to Pathanamthitta, two helicopters from Sulur have been kept on standby, additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on the way, and Army units stationed in Kannur and Wayanad are prepared for deployment if required.

The Chief Minister said the government had anticipated the possibility of heavy rainfall and held meetings with District Collectors on July 30 and August 1 to ensure emergency preparedness before the rains intensified. He added that around 165 hectares of farmland belonging to more than 3,000 farmers had been damaged, with the state Cabinet expected to decide compensation shortly. Families displaced by the floods will receive Rs 10,000 as immediate assistance, while Rs 10,000 has also been sanctioned towards funeral expenses. The families of those who died will receive a total compensation of Rs 8 lakh through contributions from the SDRF, CMDRF and PMRF.

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Satheesan also cautioned against the spread of misinformation, rejecting claims that Kerala's dams were overflowing. He said most reservoirs remained within safe storage levels and warned of legal action against those circulating false information that could create panic. Referring to the unusually intense rainfall, he noted that Vadaserikkara recorded 350 mm of rain, while several other regions received more than 300 mm. He added that meteorologists had described the cloudburst-like rainfall as an emerging weather phenomenon influenced by rising temperatures, making it difficult to predict accurately.

Responding to criticism over reports that he stopped for lunch during the flood crisis, Satheesan said he had been visiting the family of a deceased Congress leader and accepted a meal at a nearby residence, dismissing the controversy as politically motivated. He also defended his use of a government helicopter to visit his ailing father-in-law, stating that the aircraft was already under a fixed monthly contract and that his journey did not impose any additional financial burden on the state. The Chief Minister maintained that his government had provided regular public updates throughout the crisis and remained fully committed to relief and rehabilitation efforts despite the ongoing political criticism.

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