Following massive property damage and destruction in the rain-ravaged state of Kerala, Ministry of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Sunday announced to replace all damaged passports free of cost.
Taking to Twitter, Swaraj announced, “There are unprecedented floods in Kerala causing huge damage. We have decided that as the situation becomes normal, passports damaged on account (of) floods shall be replaced free of charge. Please contact the concerned Passport Kendras.”
There are unprecedented floods in Kerala causing huge damage. We have decided that as the situation becomes normal, passports damaged on account floods shall be replaced free of charge. Please contact the concerned Passport Kendras. #KeralaFloods Pls RT
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 12, 2018
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also took to Twitter and spoke about the preliminary loss.
The impact of the disaster is likely to be felt for a long time.Preliminary assessment indicate that nearly 20000 houses have been fully damaged and nearly 10000 km of state PWD roads damaged. The preliminary loss is around ₹8316 crore. #KeralaFloods2018
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 12, 2018
Chief Minister Vijayan on Saturday had also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of deceased and Rs 10 lakh to those who lost their property in the floods.
One of the worst natural disasters in recent memory, floods in Kerala have left 39 people dead and thousands homeless. Out of the total 14 districts in the state, around 10 have been affected by the floods.
