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The cost to reconstruct Kerala following the severe flooding that hit the southern Indian state will surpass $3.7 billion, authorities said.
Nearly 500 people were killed and a million left homeless after the worst floods in a century hit the coastal state in May.
The heavy rains devastated 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.
Related content: 423 Dead in Kerala Floods, Total Loss More than Annual Plan Outlay: Pinarayi Vijayan
Earlier this month, the central government proclaimed it would provide 6bn rupees ($84.6 million) in assistance to the state, far less than the 20bn rupees ($282m) it requested.
Much to the disappointment of state officials, the government has also rejected offers of foreign aid from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
About 50,000 people are still living in over 300 camps across the state. Over four million jobs have been impacted by the floods up to now, while 3.3 million jobs are at present "in jeopardy", according to a recent report by financial research firm Care Ratings.
Both the tourism and agriculture sectors have been severely affected.
Tourism Gravely Hit
Kerala's backwaters, an attractive network of ponds, waterways, and canals stretching about half the length of the state, draw millions of tourists yearly.
According to Industry members, now 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 normalize by next year. Tourism could see a revival in the next six months. But everything would be contingent on how swiftly the rebuilding begins," Kavita Chacko, the senior economist who authored the report, told Al Jazeera.
Almost a week after the floodwaters withdrew, authorities have likewise turned their attention to the health risks posed by stagnant water in flooded neighborhoods, which can aid the spread of diseases like cholera.
On Thursday, India's Central Ministry of Health said cases of leptospirosis, acute diarrhea and dengue are increasing.
"Over 169 medical facilities, including hospitals, have been damaged and are out of bounds," said Raju VR, Director of Health Services in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital.
"This is only a conservative estimate. The damage might be far higher. The healthcare sector has recorded losses over $20m across the state. Children and pregnant women should be most careful as there is a great risk of communicable diseases with people coming back to their homes," he warned.
A post-flood recovery action plan is now in place, health minister of Kerala, Shailaja Teacher, told Al Jazeera.
"The most dangerous thing that we need to guard against now is an epidemic. We are telling people to drink boiled water only. We have initiated a cleaning mission to sanitize homes and schools and buildings as people return from relief camps," she said.
By Sowmya Sangam
