New Delhi, August 21: Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing condolences over the lives lost in Kerala floods. The tragic floods in God's own country have claimed more than 370 lives, and the total loss the state has suffered due to the floods is estimated to be over Rs 20,000 crore.

Earlier in the day, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered financial assistance of Rs 700 crore to the state which has been devasted due to floods. Surprisingly the amount is more than what the  Indian Central government has offered to help, which is Rs 500 crore. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Read the letter here:

The Kerala government has called for an all-party meeting over the flood situation in the state at 4 PM today at Thiruvananthapuram, according to an ANI report. On Monday, the Centre declared the massive floods in Kerala as a 'calamity of severe nature'. Donations have been pouring in from all parts of the country, and celebrities, TV channels, corporate houses are taking an active part in urging people to donate and help the flood-affected victims come out of the crisis.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2018 03:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).