Keralam will unveil district-specific disaster management plan in three months, says Satheesan

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan proceeding on Monday evening to visit the family of Sajita, who was missing in the flash floods in the Kottapuzha river at T.K. Colony near Amarambalam. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN The Keralam government will prepare a comprehensive, district-specific disaster management plan within three months, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Monday, following the flash flood at T.K. Colony near Amarambalam that claimed five lives and left one woman missing.Mr. Satheesan, who visited the accident site and the families of the victims on Monday, said his government was working to strengthen the State’s disaster management system and develop a model that the country could emulate.Risks of each districtThe proposed plan will take into account the specific risks and priorities of each district, he said. “The government will seek the support of NGOs, the Central government and research institutions in preparing the plan,” he added. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday consoling the family of Sajita, who was missing in the flash floods in the Kottapuzha river at T.K. Colony near Amarambalam. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN The Chief Minister said the recent incidents in Nilambur, Idukki, and Kottayam had highlighted the need for stronger safety measures. “Ten people died in the three incidents despite the absence of major downpours, floods or landslides,” he said. “It is particularly serious that such incidents occurred without major landslides or widespread flooding.”Precise weather forecastsHe said the government would also work to make weather forecasts more precise. In the Nilambur incident, there had been no forecast of rainfall of the intensity that preceded the flash flood, he said.The government will take urgent measures to regulate visitor movement at T.K. Colony, which is not a formally designated tourist spot. Mr. Satheesan said the area had gained popularity through social media, drawing large crowds. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan consoling the relatives of Kuruppath Rafeeq at Chettiyarammal, Wandoor, who died in the flash floods in the Kottapuzha river at T.K. Colony near Amarambalam on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN The district administration, Ministers, MLAs and other elected representatives will meet to formulate measures to regulate the flow of visitors and improve safety at the site.The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday to decide on financial assistance for the families of those who died in the recent incidents, he said. “We will definitely help the families of the victims. We will decide the amount in the Cabinet meeting,” he said.Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty; Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar; Public Works Minister P.K. Basheer; MLAs Aryadan Shoukath, T.P. Ashraf Ali and V.S. Joy; district panchayat president P.A. Jabbar Haji; District Collector Vinay Goyal; Perinthalmanna Subcollector Sakshi Mohan and several officials accompanied the Chief Minister.Indian Union Muslim League State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal also accompanied Mr. Satheesan. Published - September 21, 2026 07:14 pm IST