Kerala was today coming to grips with the devastation caused by the deadly monsoon as more displaced people started returning to their homes which lay in ruins devoured by the unprecedented deluge.
A sense of despair gripped most people as they found their homes filled with huge mounds of mud and dirt left by the receding flood waters.
A 68-year-old man committed suicide at his home unable to get over the shock of what was left of his dwelling at Kothad in Ernakulam district, close on the heels of a teenaged boy from Kozhikode taking his life after his certificates were destroyed in the floods.
With the offer of USD 100 million (Rs 700 crore) aid by the United Arab Emirates appeared to be getting stuck over hurdles in accepting such huge cash donation, Vijayan said the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi, if needed, to get it cleared.
Flight operations from flood-hit international airport in Kochi, which has been closed for over a week, will resume from August 29 instead of August 26 as announced earlier as the stakeholders said it would require more time to mobilise the workforce, most of whom had been affected by the floods.
With the rescue operations in the affected areas nearing a close, the government turned its attention to rehabilitation work, days after the monsoon fury ravaged the state claiming 231 lives and forcing over 14.50 lakh out of their homes.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan 13.43 lakh people were still in 3,314 relief camps after many have started returning to their homes since yesterday as the rains that unleashed misery on the state abated and waters receded.
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The Navy called off its 14-day long rescue operations, saying there were no more requests for evacuation as waters receded in the affected areas.
The day also saw a political row breaking out with opposition Congress-led UDF and BJP blaming the state government for a "man-made disaster", a charge denied by Vijayan.
Bakrid, the festival of sacrifice, was marked by special prayers at mosques in Kerala for those who lost their lives in the rains and floods and those who continue to suffer due to the unprecedented deluge.
Hundreds of faithful thronged the mosques across the ravaged state in large numbers.
In Tamil Nadu too, prayers were offered for the well-being of those affected by the floods in the neighbouring state.
Referring to reports that Centre was unlikely to accept foreign funds for Kerala flood relief works, Vijayan said as such, there were no obstacles for accepting foreign funds.
"Donations from other countries are acceptable.Will approach PM if required," he told reporters here.
The state government wanted to sort out the issue by holding discussions at theofficial level, but, if necessary, would seek the Prime Minister's intervention, he added.
Congress in the state termed as disappointing, reports that the Centre was unlikely to accept any foreign financial aid for flood relief work and requested the Prime Minister to take steps to amend the rules.
Vijayan also rejected the charge of UDF and BJP that the government opened the shutters of 40 odd dams without any warning resulting in the 'man-made' disaster.
All guidelines had been followed and adequate warnings and alerts issued before the dams were opened, he asserted.
The flood and landslides were due to unseasonal heavy rains the state experienced from August 8 and not due to the opening of the shutters of dams, as alleged by the opposition.
The chief minister said the state had received 164 per cent more rains during this monsoon season than the normal.
"It is true that government was able to fruitfully manage the dams and this is why we were able to check the quantum of damage," he said.
Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala demanded a judicial probe into the circumstances that led to release of water from 40-odd dams at a time.
The chief minister, who thanked the Indian cricket team captain Virat Kholi for remembering the flood victims, said his government will honour the defence personnel who took part in the rescue operations in a befitting manner at a function here on August 26.
Vijayan said the government would not shut its eyes to the miseries of the people and will stand together with them and help in rebuilding their lives.
The state which estimated its loss in the deluge at Rs 20,000 crore has decided to seek an interim assistance of Rs 2,600 crore from the centre.
The Centre had yesterday released Rs 600 crore, including Rs 500 crore announced by the Prime Minister, to the state.