Kerala Floods: Fresh Red Alert Issued in 11 of 14 Districts, Heavy Rains Predicted by IMD for Next 24 Hours
The death toll so far has peaked to 324, with the number of casualties further expected to rise. Over 3.53 lakh affected persons had been lodged in more than 2,000 relief camps.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 18: A fresh red alert was sounded in 11 of the 14 districts in Kerala as the India Meteorological Department has warned of "heavy to heavy rainfalls" in the next 24 hours. The three districts which have been exempted from the weather alert are thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kasaragod.
The IMD warning comes amid half of Kerala's geographical landscape being inundated under water. Due to the flood situation, essential supplies have been cut-off in some regions. Due to disruption of drinking water supply, there is also a fear of epidemic to erupt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who undertook an aerial survey of the state on Saturday, announced an immediate aid of Rs 500 crore from the Centre.
Support has also poured in from other states, whose governments have pledged donations between Rs 5-25 crore for their counterpart regime in Kerala.
"The situation is grave and dangerous. We appeal with folded hands to the entire nation to help in all manner they can. The total losses that we have incurred could be estimated to Rs 10,000 crore," said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
As part of the rehabilitation programme, the Kerala government intends to disburse Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of deceased, along with Rs 10 lakh to those whose houses have been washed away in the floods.
The death toll so far has peaked to 324, with the number of casualties further expected to rise. Over 3.53 lakh affected persons had been lodged in more than 2,000 relief camps.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 18, 2018 07:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).