Kerala floods: Here's how central agencies are trying to help stranded people

As the crisis in Kerala continues, all the branches of the Indian security forces and other Central agencies are now trying to do their best to expedite rescue and relief operations. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said on Friday that the death toll has increased to 167. Although, according to unofficial reports, it has increased to 175. 4 districts of the state are currently in deep crisis. PM Narendra Modi will be visiting the state in the evening to take stock of the situation. 

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the country's apex body to handle emergency situation, met again in New Delhi on Friday to take stock of the situation and push for more resources to the badly affected areas. 

Here are some of the broad pointers: 

1. Central government has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats.

2. Additionally 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats are being deployed, 1,00,000 food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another 1,00,000 food packets. 

3. Fresh water is currently a big point of concern. Railways has provided 1,20,000 water bottles. Another 1,20,000 bottles are ready to be despatched. It is also running a special train carrying 2.9 lakh litres of drinking water that will reach Kayamkulam tomorrow.

4. The Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots are being rushed to Kerala today. It flew 16 sorties in last two days in rescue operations. It will airdrop 1,600 food packets today.

5. The Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys.

6. The IAF deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur.

7. The Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets. The NDRF has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment.

8. The NCMC directed these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights etc.

9. Use of Naval airstrip at Kochi for use by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala government as the civilian airport remained closed.

With PTI inputs