About 324 people have reportedly lost their lives since May 29, in the devastating floods ravaging Kerala. Central and north Kerala are the ones worst affected by the flood waters. The state’s rivers, reservoirs and 100 dams are overflowing (80 of which have been opened), and around 310,000 people have been displaced and are currently taking shelter in the 2,000 relief camps in the state.
After being initially delayed because of bad weather, PM Narendra Modi did an aerial survey of flood-hit areas of Kochi on Saturday.
Kerala CM demanded RS 2000 crores emergency help from Centre citing total losses worth RS 19512 crores based on first estimate. Centre has now announced an emergency grant of Rs 500 crore, says Kerala CM’s office #keralafloods @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/aVgiuRBaj2
— Arun Janardhanan (@arunjei) August 18, 2018
He was brought up-to-date about the loss to the state a meeting with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and union minister KJ Alphons thereafter. In the meeting, Vijayan informed the Prime Minister that as per initial assessment, there’s been a loss of Rs 19,512 crore in the state. PM Modi in return offered immediate assistance of Rs 500 crore in addition to the Rs 100 crore relief Home Minister Rajnath Singh had declared on August 12.
PM Modi tweeted, “In Kerala, I took stock of the situation arising in the wake of the devastating floods across the state. Joined a review meeting and undertook an aerial survey to assess the damage caused by flooding. The nation stands firmly with Kerala in this hour.”
Update on Chengannur; Attempts to rescue the stranded are on a war-footing basis. 4 helicopters, 5 military boats & 65 fishing boats are part of operations. Four 100-member strong army teams have been deployed. Food is being supplied using helicopters.#KeralaFloods
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 18, 2018
He has also announced Rs 2 lakh compensation per person for those we’ve lost to the floods. A compensation of Rs 50,000 will be given to those grievously injured.
As of now, 42 navy, 39 NDRF, 28 coast guard and 16 army teams have been involved in the rescue operations, with 30 military helicopters in use.
Despite the relentless rescue work, 136 people have died in the last two days alone due to the incessant rains. Thrissur, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts have been affected the most. In Chengannur and Chalakkudy, situation remains grim with people unable to even send messages across as mobile networks are down. Red alert has been issued in 11 districts as there is prediction of more rainfall.
Red Alert issued for today in 11 districts. Heavy rainfall predicted for the day in all districts except Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam & Kasaragod. pic.twitter.com/A7Q0V81itX
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 18, 2018
Those of you looking to donate or help in any way, can log onto keralarescue.in
Twitter, in the meantime, believes the PM’s contribution is too little:
This is our Prime Minister. A man who spent 4500 crores on advertising himself.
He has only 500 crores for 4 crore people of kerala.#Shame #KeralaFloods— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) August 18, 2018
Modiji has sanctioned _ 500 crores for Kerala. Same amount with which they were willing to spend to buy 5 MLAs in Karnataka.
Kerala needs over _ 8000 crores to rehabilitate. The Left Govt in Kerala has 92 MLAs. They can discuss with Amit bhai?— Paresh (@hi_paresh) August 18, 2018
Respected Prminister You have so much to spend on Travel and Statues. Don’t you think it’s extremely inhuman to give just Rs.500 crores to Kerala when devastation estimates Rs.20 crores??
— Manoj (@manufsp16) August 18, 2018
What else you can expect from Modi, he got 3200cr for statue of Unity, 2800cr for statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, but he can’t help the people of Kerala during #KeralaFloods
I’m ashamed to say that he’s our PM.— RahulAAP (@RSKnRAHUL) August 18, 2018
PMs foreign trip expenses are more than this. Not sure if we should be happy or sad with this 500cr. We have to fight against all odds. More power to you sir_
— Shiyad (@Iamshiyad) August 18, 2018
