Kochi, August 25: As Kerala returns to normalcy after facing the worst natural disaster in around a century, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has extended a helping hand to people of the flood-hit state by organising free e-Aadhaar Camps at several areas across the southern state. According to the latest tweet by UIDAI, the camps have been organised at Bishop Moore Vidyapith, Pattanakkad, Alappuzha in Kerala. Reports inform that the facility will be available till September 30, 2018.

UIDAI, the Aadhaar issuing body on Tuesday said that it will help people of flood-hit Kerala and Karnataka by issuing e-Aadhaar to all residents free of cost as people have lost their personal documents, including their Aadhaar card in recent floods. “In this regard, UIDAI has decided to issue e-Aadhaar to all the residents at free of cost, who lost their Aadhaar card in the recent floods," said Ashok Kumar, assistant director general, UIDAI said.

"During the ongoing monsoon season, the State of Kerala and Southern Karnataka have received torrential rain and heavy flooding. As per the information gathered from media and grievances received from residents in flood-affected areas of Kerala and South Canara region of Karnataka, most of the residents lost their valuable documents including Aadhaar card in the recent flood”, a UIDAI release said.

The UIDAI has directed the Aadhaar enrolment agencies in Kerala, including banks and post offices, to facilitate retrieval of the 12-digit number and provide free printouts to Aadhaar-holders who have lost their document. The e-Aadhaar printouts can be taken by people from the enrolment centres by giving their name and biometric authentication, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey informed.

Nearly 417 people have been killed while over nine lakh were sheltered in relief camps. There has been a total collapse of power supply and networks while essential supplies and medicines were in short supply at several places.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2018 01:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).