As the third truck full of relief material meant for the victims of the floods in Kerala was getting ready to leave for Wayanad, the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram V.K. Prasanth got a call informing him that the first load has already reached Nilambur in Malappuram and is being distributed. He flashed a victory sign amid cheers from those who have been engaged in collecting materials day and night.
Kerala, after its initial shock of witnessing the repetition of the unprecedented mega floods exactly a year later, is back on its feet. As many as 2.5 lakh people have been affected by the heavy rains and landslides in the central and northern districts of the state in the last four days. So far, over 50 deaths have been reported. The most affected districts are Wayanad, Malappuram, Idukki, Kannur, Kozhikode and Kasaragod. Around 23,000 relief camps have been opened in these districts.
The southern districts―least affected by the rains this time―have woken up to the needs of the affected ones and are in the forefront collecting materials for the victims. Many textiles have lowered the price of essential materials meant for victims. Some provisional shops have also toed similar lines.
READ: The fightback continues: Resilient Kerala still carries the scars of last year’s deluge
“It is correct that we could not collect the required items in the first two days. It was primarily due to the shock factor, I believe, as people are yet to come to terms with the fact that the flood is becoming an yearly affair. But since yesterday, things have changed and the response is getting as good as it was last year,” said Sajith N., a volunteer at the collection centre in the Corporation.
According to Sajith, the responses have been similar in other collection centres. There are many such centres that have been opened in Thiruvananthapuram now.
In Kollam district, too, similar camps have been opened.
There indeed was a “starting trouble” as most collection centres had a kind of deserted look in the last two days. Reasons were various. Misinformation about the way the CMDRF, the way relief funds were spent and reports about wasted relief materials had initially affected the relief collections.
READ: Want to help flood-affected people? Here's a list of collection centres
“It is unfortunate to see that many are spreading misinformation about the CMDRF. Not a single penny in the CMDRF has gone into the hands of undeserving people,” said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
According to him, it is those people who were uneasy with the kind of assistance that Kerala received that are spreading rumours. “Those who spread false information about CMDRF is doing a grave injustice to our land. People should not fall into that trap,” he said.
Similar views were expressed by Finance Minister Thomas Isaac too. “Every penny spent from CMDRF is transparent and anyone can access it online. Only those who hate Kerala will spread such lies against the misuse of funds,” said Isaac.
The initial lull, however, seems to have faded. The collection centres in the capital city arebuzzing with people carrying items for the victims. The NSS in various schools also have started collecting items through home visits.
In between, some had also raked up the issue of south Kerala not helping north Kerala enough while the latter had come rushing to help the southern districts last year. Somehow, that allegation also has been brushed aside by the common people in Kerala.
As ‘Collector Bro’ Prasanth Nair IAS said: “Those who are willing to give will always find reasons to give and those who do not want to give will continue to find excuses not to give.”
Kerala, as was proved last year, prefers the former, it seems.