Kerala Floods: PM Modi reaches state, greeted by CM Vijayan at airport

On late Friday night, PM Modi reached Kerala to take stock of the situation. He was met at the airport by Kerala CM Vijayan along with other leaders. 

PM @narendramodi reached Kerala a short while ago.

Governor Shri Sathasivam, CM Shri Vijayan, Union Minister @alphonstourism and other dignitaries welcomed the Prime Minister at the airport. @CMOKerala pic.twitter.com/x10nKKqKSe

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 17, 2018

Earlier in the day, Modi also spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed about the situation. 
"Leaving for Kerala to take stock of the flood situation in the state," the prime minister tweeted.

"The suffering of the people of Kerala has been in his thoughts for the last few days. He will review the status of relief and rescue operations, and will also undertake an aerial survey of the flood affected areas," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
Modi left for Kerala after attending the last rites of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

Describing Kerala floods as the worst in 100 years, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said that the death toll reached 324.

"Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps," Vijayan tweeted on Friday evening.

Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 223139 people are in about 1500+ relief camps. Your help can rebuild the lives of the affected. Donate to https://t.co/FjYFEdOsyl #StandWithKerala.

— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018

Vijayan also urged everyone's help to 'rebuild the lives of the affected' by contributing to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

"For the people of Kerala, the road to recovery is going to be a long one. Your help no matter how small will be a step to restore normalcy," Vijayan said in another tweet.

For the people of Kerala, the road to recovery is going to be a long one. Your help no matter how small will be a step to restore normalcy. Donate to:

Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund
NO: 67319948232
Bank: State Bank of India  
IFSC : SBIN0070028
SWIFT CODE : SBININBBT08 pic.twitter.com/cbsFwRplsG

— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 17, 2018

Earlier on Friday, Supreme Court asked two crisis management panels to explore the possibility of reducing the water level at the Mullaperiyar Dam by three feet to deal with the devastating floods in Kerala and asked Tamil Nadu to "scrupulously obey" any decision taken on the issue.

Emphasising that the critical flood situation needed to be dealt with "focus, concentration and efficiency by all concerned", the top court said it was not an expert to deal with such unprecedented natural calamity and was leaving it to the executive to tackle the situation.

It asked the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and a committee, set up by the top court in 2014 to manage and look after the safety and security of the dam, to coordinate with each other and explore the possibility of reducing the water level from the existing 142 feet to 139 feet. 

The Mullaperiyar Dams is located on the Western Ghats near Thekkady in Idukki district of Kerala on the Periyar river.

The rise in flood water in Periyar River due to rains and the opening of shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir and Idamalayar, have severely affected the lives of people in the downstream areas. 

Rescue Operations are underway as central government has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats.

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.  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 on Saturday.

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

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

The Army has pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets.

One unit of the Territorial Army has also been deployed in Kerala.

(With PTI inputs)