The cost to rebuild Kerala following the severe flooding that hit the southern Indian state will exceed $3.7bn, as per estimates put out by the authorities .

With 480 people  killed and a million left homeless after the worst floods in a century hit the coastal state , the health issues are becoming a big challenge for the authorities.

The torrential rains destroyed tens of thousands of homes, ruined crops and washed away roads and bridges. At the state assembly on Thursday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the economic losses would exceed $3.73bn. Giving a real picture of the disaster.

Earlier this month, the central government announced it would provide Rs 600 Crores in assistance to the state, far less than the Rs 2000 Crores rupees Kerala had requested.

Much to the dismay of state officials, the Union government has also rejected offers of foreign aid from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Around 50,000 people are still living in over 300 camps across the state. More than four million jobs have been impacted by the floods so far, while 3.3 million jobs are currently “in jeopardy”, according to a recent report by a private financial research firm .

Both the agriculture and tourism sectors have been badly affected wiping out one full season and a threat of impacting the forthcoming tourist season as well.

Kerala’s backwaters, a pretty network of lakes, rivers and canals stretching almost half the length of the state, draw millions of tourists every year. Industry members now say there have been more than 80 percent cancellations of tourist bookings over the past few months.

“The GDP growth of the state would decline by at least one percent. Damages and losses still need further assessment. Things should normalise by next year. Tourism could see a revival in the next six months. But everything would be contingent on how swiftly the rebuilding begins,” feels analyst Kavita Chacko, the senior economist who authored the Care Ratings report.

Almost a week after the floodwaters receded, authorities have also turned their attention to the health risks posed by stagnant water in flooded neighbourhoods, which can aid the spread of diseases like cholera.

“Over 169 medical facilities, including hospitals, have been damaged and are out of bounds, even 2 weeks after the floods ” said Raju VR, Director of Health Services in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital.

A post-flood recovery action plan is now in place, according to Shailaja Teacher, Kerala’s health minister. “The most dangerous thing that we need to guard against now is an epidemic,” said Shailaja Teacher.