BJP slams Kerala govt over flood preparedness

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 8 (AHN) With heavy rains once again triggering floods across Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has mounted a two‑pronged attack on the government, alleging that years of neglect of the state’s rivers and the failure to maintain a functional marine rescue system have exposed serious gaps in disaster preparedness.

Twenty‑six people have lost their lives in the rains and flooding that hit the state over the past week.

BJP state general secretary Anoop Antony said the deteriorating condition of rivers and drainage systems was aggravating the impact of flooding in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Alappuzha.

BJP national executive committee member Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that the government had failed to learn lessons from the 2017 Ockhi cyclone, leaving a Rs 18.24‑crore marine ambulance project in disarray.

Antony pointed to recurring flooding in Ranni, Aranmula, Kozhencherry, Thiruvalla and Upper Kuttanad, besides the Meenachil river basin in Kottayam.

He alleged that successive governments had failed to remove accumulated soil, silt and sediment from flood‑prone rivers, or effectively tackle encroachments along riverbanks and natural drainage channels.

“The problem of floods cannot be solved without addressing the problems of our rivers,” Antony said, calling for a scientific assessment of the carrying capacity of rivers, canals and streams and long‑term measures to restore their natural flow.

He added that a comprehensive study of flood‑prone rivers and water bodies should have been undertaken after the devastating floods of 2018, instead of relying largely on relief and rescue operations every monsoon.

Rajasekharan, meanwhile, questioned the functioning of the three marine ambulances built by Cochin Shipyard and deployed at Vizhinjam, Vypin and Beypore after Ockhi claimed 143 fishermen’s lives.

The project was funded through the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, State Plan Fund and Bharat Petroleum’s CSR contribution.

He alleged that the Beypore marine ambulance had been lying idle following an engine failure and demanded an immediate technical inspection of all three vessels.

The government should clarify the status of their radar, GPS, communication and navigation systems and whether they possess all mandatory certifications, including those of the Indian Register of Shipping, he said.

Rajasekharan also sought a comprehensive audit of the Rs 18.24‑crore project, including construction and maintenance expenditure, and action against those responsible for any lapses.

The BJP leaders said disaster management could not be confined to evacuations and relief after calamities. Maintaining rivers and drainage networks before floods and ensuring fully operational rescue infrastructure at sea were equally important.

The twin allegations come amid the latest spell of heavy rain, with several low‑lying areas across central Kerala once again battling inundation, putting the government’s preparedness and long‑term disaster mitigation strategy under renewed scrutiny.