Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of relentless monsoon rains during the last week of July, the Kerala Public Works Department (PWD) has reported a staggering loss of ₹852.78 crore. The northern districts of Kerala, particularly Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod, and Wayanad, bore the brunt of the devastation, accounting for ₹832 crore of the total loss. The southern districts, though less affected, recorded damages worth ₹20 crore.
The torrential downpour has wreaked havoc on the state’s roads, bridges, and buildings, severely crippling infrastructure. In response, the PWD is working to secure financial assistance through NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) and the Rebuild Kerala initiative to expedite reconstruction efforts.
A comprehensive damage assessment, led by the PWD’s chief engineer, has been submitted to the government. The road network suffered the most, with damages valued at ₹532 crore. The total cost for rebuilding the damaged infrastructure is estimated at ₹780.01 crore. This includes an allocation of ₹20 lakh for National Highways, ₹40 lakh for buildings, ₹34.56 crore for bridges, and ₹37.61 crore for projects under the Kerala Road Fund Board.
Among the key repair works is the restoration of the Chooralmala bridge in Wayanad, with an estimated cost of ₹15 crore. With widespread damage across various districts, the state government is focusing on swift reconstruction to restore critical infrastructure and minimize further disruption.
