Thrissur is one of the districts that took the brunt of August flood last year. As many as 2,18,316 people were affected by the deluge and land slips. 63 people lost their lives in the surging waters. Around 2,66,581 people had to leave their homes and 788 relief camps were opened to accommodate 50,912 families. Nearly 194 villages out of the total 255 villages in the district had to endure the pain caused by the deluge for more than one week.
As many as 3,478 houses were washed away and 27,627 houses were partially damaged all around the district. Close to 1,389 houses were rebuilt under six schemes, financial aid was given to 24, 068 partially damaged houses and the State Government had channelled Rs.263.33 crore for the purpose.
Government’s main scheme was one through which Rs.4 lakh was disbursed in three instalments to the beneficiaries to build a house. Nearly 2,378 people came forward to be part of this scheme; 786 houses had been constructed. An amount of Rs.69.64 crore had been disbursed in the district under the scheme.
The Care Home project is the second scheme of the Department of Cooperation, opted by 500 families. A number of 411 houses had been constructed yet. The construction of the remaining houses and the apartment complex to accommodate 100 families in the second phase is progressing at a much greater pace. There are 20 families who have lost their homes and land. The land has been earmarked for 15 families. As many as 223 families staying in unsettled land lost their houses. Out of them, there are 49 families who either possess private land or had constructed a house in unsettled land with the help of private parties. The remaining 174 families had to be rehabilitated. The process of rehabilitating 124 families had been completed and the remaining 50 families will be rehabilitated without any delay. Nearly 138 houses are being built through sponsorships from various institutions and the work on 73 houses has been completed. Close to 20,874 houses were partially damaged, and Rs 159.79 crore had been distributed to the affected people.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SECTOR BOUNCES BACK
The animal husbandry and dairy development sectors are on the path of revival after 60 per cent of the cattle were lost in the floods. The loss incurred by the dairy development segment is close to 76 metric tons. Relief had been extended to 6,533 cattle farmers. Around 25,000 chicklings were distributed to 500 students, fifty each, via school poultry clubs. About 11,900 kilograms of fodder for 3,300 cattle worth Rs 32.95 lakhs were distributed and the Dairy Development Department gave 392 metric tonnes of cattle feed to the cattle farmers
PROJECT TO REVIVE AGRICULTURE
The deluge inundated 4,745.8 hectares of agricultural land resulting loss of crops. The Agriculture Department had spent Rs.23,56,79,834 from its own funds to revive the farming sector. The special flood package under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture project had spent Rs.3.14 crore for 5,000 farmers. As many as 23,792 farmers were aided financial assistance. Nearly 2,407 farmers were also aided by the Crop Insurance Scheme. About 6 lakh farmers were given vegetable seeds and saplings. Close to 33,445 farmers also got help through the Soil Ameliorants in Selected Districts project.
THE HELPING HAND OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Four hospitals, ravaged by the floods, were refurbished. A project was implemented to succour 9,542 people who were mentally battered by the floods. Renovation works to the tune of Rs 88.90 lakh are being carried out at 12 subfamily health centers. An amount of Rs 1.25 crore was expended to revamp the hospitals in the district. The State Government distributed Rs 1.45 crore worth of medicines directly and also gave away medications worth Rs 25 crore sourced through voluntary organizations.
