Thiruvananthapuram, August 19: Rescue operations have reached the last stage in Kerala.  Around 846,680 people who have become homeless by devastating floods in Kerala are shifted to 3,734 camps. The Department of Food and Public Distribution has provided 50,000 million tonnes (MT) of food grains to the flood-affected regions in Kerala. Meanwhile, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also made arrangements to airlift 100 metric tonnes of pulses by tomorrow with additional quantities to be sent by train.

Support is pouring from other government departments also to victims of floods in the southern state. Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh OP Singh has appealed to state Police to voluntarily donate one day salary for Kerala flood victims. Singh said, “Over 300 people have lost their lives in the floods. It's a national calamity, and we all need to think how we can help the people of Kerala.”

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has also made available 9,300 kilolitres of kerosene to Kerala. Additional 12,000 kilolitres of kerosene will be allocated soon. Meanwhile, LPG bottling plant in Kochi has been reopened. Apart from the government organisations, Seva Bharatiya community service unit of Rashtriya Sewamsewak Sangh (RSS) is also carrying out relief and rescue operations across the state. While talking to media, a unit member said, “We stock materials and transport it via trucks and trains. We started this on 15 Aug and will continue as long as it's required.”

More than 38,000 people have rescued and evacuated from the flood-affected areas in Kerala. Medical aid has been provided to over 23,000 people, while the Food Processing Ministry has supplied 3,00,000 food packets. Kerala is reeling under murderous monsoon since August 8.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 19, 2018 09:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).