Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
| Photo Credit: H.VIBHU
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) said the government has begun work on creating an “effective” long-term disaster resilience programme for the State.
Announced in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s Revised Budget for 2026-27 presented in June, the Kerala Disaster Resilience Programme will “serve as a model for the entire country”, said Mr. Satheesan during a post-Cabinet press briefing where he outlined the measures implemented by his government in view of the heavy-rainfall-induced floods and mudslips reported across the State over the past week.
According to the latest figures, the rain havoc has left 26 dead and four missing in the State.
Tech-incentive weather forecasts, effective early warning systems and flood mapping, desiltation of dams and rivers, artificial intelligence-driven dam management and a comprehensive policy will be part of the programme, said Mr. Satheesan.
As part of this initiative, the departments of Land Revenue and Water Resources have been asked to draw up a scheme for the removal of the large volume of silt, sand and debris accumulated in the rivers after the 2018 and 2019 floods in Kerala, Mr. Satheesan said.
He said 50% to 60% of the problems faced by the State on account of flash floods and waterlogging can be addressed through this measure alone. On the other hand, it could prove dangerous if the rivers were not restored to their proper depth, he added.
Mr. Satheesan, who also handles the Finance portfolio, had earmarked ₹15 crore for the Kerala Disaster Resilience Programme in the Revised Budget. “Over the past decade, Kerala has faced numerous devastating natural disasters, including severe landslides, aggressive coastal erosion, the heartbreaking tragedy at Mundakkai-Chooralmala (Wayanad), and recurring floods. Every single disaster has unequivocally revealed the necessity of scientific disaster preparedness and prevention,” he had noted in his Budget speech.
A Kerala Disaster Resilience Centre will also be established as part of the programme, according to the Budget speech.
Published – August 05, 2026 03:52 pm IST
