Thiruvananthapuram, August 21: In what may come as a major relief to people of Kerala, the Indian Railways today have restored all the major tracks connecting Kerala that were damaged due to floods. The rail routes between Thiruvananthapuram and Nagarcoil section, Ernakulam and Kottayam, Ernakulam and Shoranur, Palakkad and Shoranur, Shoranur and Kozhikkode, and Kollam and Punalur section declared fit. However, the work is underway to restore traffic on Punalur-Senkottai-Thrissur-Gururvayur branch lines. Three divisions of Southern Railway were severely affected due to heavy flash floods, land slips, boulder falling on the track.

Heavy and incessant rains have lashed the southern state. Around 400, people have lost their lives in floods. The Indian Defence Forces along with other central authorities have launched Operation Madad in the state to rescue people from the flood-hit areas to safe places. More than 38,000 people have rescued and evacuated from the flood-affected areas in Kerala. The Centre has declared floods in the state as the 'calamity of severe nature'.

Financial support has been poured in from various other states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a financial assistance of Rs 500 crore to the state. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have also offered support in rescue and relief operations in the state. The Kochi airport has been made closed till August 26 due to floods in the area. Kerala is reeling under heavy rains since August 8.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2018 06:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).