India
More than 300 people have died in rain-related incidents in Kerala, even as defence forces scaled up operations to rescue those stranded in worst-hit areas.
Updated : Aug 18, 2018, 11:42 AM IST
More than 300 people have died in rain-related incidents in Kerala, even as defence forces scaled up operations to rescue those stranded in worst-hit areas.
Kerala has been witnessing incessant rainfall over the last few days, causing unprecedented flooding and landslides in several parts of the state. So far, 324 people have lost their lives in the state due to flood, according to a tweet by the Chief Minister Office (CMO) of Kerala.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the flood situation at a high-level meeting in Kochi and also conducted an aerial survey of flood-affectedd areas.
"The prime minister is reviewing the flood situation in Kerala at a high-level meeting. @CMOKerala," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted.
Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh per person to the next kin of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to those seriously injured, from PM’s National Relief Funds (PMNRF)
Several people are stranded in buildings in various districts. Many of them, including children, were rescued from various waterlogged areas.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had yesterday said 23 more helicopters will join the rescue operations today and 200 additional boats will also be pressed into service.
Army, Navy, Air Force and NDRF personnel have begun rescuing people stranded in the worst affected areas of Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts from this morning.
► The operations at the Kochi International Airport will remain suspended till August 26, with runways being flooded.
► Over 25 trains were either cancelled or rescheduled in Kerala. Kochi Metro operations have not been affected so far, sources said.
► Chengannur MLA pleads PM for helicopters, says 50,000 will die. He pleaded that 50 people were lying dead in his constituency and that more would perish help didn’t arrive soon.
► Kerala Floods: Indian Army constructs 13 temporary bridges
Your help no matter how small will be a step to restore normalcy. Donate to:
Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund
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LATEST UPDATES
PM @narendramodi in an aerial survey, assessing the damages caused by floods in some of the affected areas of Kerala. The Prime Minister expresses his grief and sorrow on the unfortunate deaths and damage to lives and property due to floods. #Keralafloods pic.twitter.com/4hLwTWk8Tg
— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 18, 2018
► The State Bank of India (SBI) has donated Rs 2 crore to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) and announced waiver of fees and charges on services offered by the bank in Kerala. (ANI)
After review meeting, Modi has announced Rs 500 crore as interim assistance. Earlier, the Central government had sanctioned Rs 100 crore
► Meanwhile, the red alert in all districts except Ernakulam and Idukki have been withdrawn. The situation is getting better in Chalakudy. The water level at Chalakudy River has reduced following a break in rainfall. Flood waters have started receding from Chalakudy town. The town and Muringoor overbridge were submerged in flood water.
► PM Modi conducts an aerial survey, announces ex-gratia
Modi was accompanied by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor P Sathasivam and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons
#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducts an aerial survey of flood affected areas. PM has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh per person to the next kin of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to those seriously injured, from PM’s National Relief Funds (PMNRF). #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/T6FYNVLmMu
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2018
► Prime Minister reviewing the flood situation in Kerala at a high-level meeting
#WATCH: Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel distribute relief material to stranded people in flood affected Palakkad's Mangalam Dam village. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/2WvqDsflrn
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2018
► Modi's aerial survey cancelled due to bad weather
► Rescuers battle treacherous conditions to rescue animals
With Kerala facing its worst floods and landslides in nearly a century, an animal charity body said today its rescuers were battling treacherous conditions to rescue and rehabilitate stranded and abandoned animals. (PTI)
I am trapped in the #KERALAFLOODS but safe.A horrible news from #Chengannur where 1000s of helpless Indians are trapped including the MLA Saji Cheriyan.50 people already dead as per reports.Please save them.If #Army helicopter n't reach with in hrs, they all gona die! @CMOKerala
— JeremyHassan (@JemHassan1) August 17, 2018
UAE and the Indian community will unite to offer relief to those affected. We have formed a committee to start immediately. We urge everyone to contribute generously towards this initiative. pic.twitter.com/7a4bHadWqa
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) August 17, 2018
DGCA asks airlines to add more flights, cap airfare: To avoid any inconvenience in travelling, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked scheduled domestic airlines to mount additional flights to Kerala after the closure of the Cochin airport. (ANI)
PM Narendra Modi leaves from Thiruvananthapuram for an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Kochi
So far
► A pregnant lady rescued by Indian Navy gives birth
The young lady and her new born son both are doing fine. God Bless them pic.twitter.com/ysrh1DVUx6
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 17, 2018
► Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has announced immediate financial help of Rs 25 crore for flood-hit Kerala.
► Kerala floods: As the flood situation continued to remain appalling all across Kerala, Indian Navy deployed 18 more teams at various locations to augment the rescue operations in the state.
► Local fishermen have also joined the rescue mission bringing in their boats to help in evacuation of the stranded people in various places in Aluva, Kalady, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha and Chalakudy.
► Andhra Pradesh government announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 crore to rain-ravaged Kerala.
► Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has announced Rs 10 crore immediate relief
► Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced Rs 10 crore relief for flood-ravaged Kerala
► Private sector lender ICICI Bank said it has waived off late payment penalties for all retail customers in Kerala this month as well as contributing Rs 10 crore towards flood relief to the state that's facing worst rain havoc in a century.