‘Rajesh a true hero’: Kerala High Court commends man who died during rescue operations

The Kerala High Court recently paid tribute to young R. Rajesh, who perished while participating in rescue operations following the monsoon floods near Meenthully Island in Kannur. The court hailed him as a "true hero", urging the State to address the family's loss with due diligence. The court also commended the Kochi Corporation’s cleaning crew and other entities that contributed to maintaining Kochi's cleanliness during the monsoon.

Justice Devan Ramachandran was reviewing a petition on flood damage mitigation in Kochi, post the onset of the monsoon. The court mandated the District Collector to submit a report on all measures undertaken thus far and any pending proposals that need to be considered. The Indian Railways informed the court of its willingness to address concerns regarding railway culverts repair, to aid in the thorough cleansing of the city.

The Amicus Curiae noted that instances of flooding were rare despite the substantial rainfall in Kochi, with water levels receding swiftly even in the low-lying areas. Furthermore, the Kochi Corporation stated that extensive cleaning was done before and during the monsoon, and this effort could persist throughout the season. The court emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance from all authorities throughout the monsoon period, ensuring that remedial actions are continuously implemented without any lapses.