With Kerala weeping in severe flood, Centre announces additional financial assistance of Rs 100 Cr
Thiruvananthapuram, August 13: Currently the situation in Kerala is just becoming bad to worse as the state is facing one of the worst floods in decades. The State and Central government are looking to expedite relief and rescue work in collaboration with different agencies. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday after meeting flood victims in Kerala and taking an aerial overview of the situation in the state announced an additional Rs 100 crore flood relief.
Flash floods due to incessant rains have wreaked havoc in several districts of the state. From past few days, normal life in many parts has been disrupted. The areas which were worst hit are Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Idukki, and Mallapuram districts. The Home Minister also approved the release of the second installment in advance for the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to supplement the efforts of the state government.
The rescue work is likely to be hampered with heavy to very heavy rains are expected in some regions of the state. The weather forecast for the next two days is also along similar lines with showers expected in some regions.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday informed that as per the preliminary report, the total damage due to floods in the state is estimated to be worth Rs 8316 crore. Taking to Twitter, Vijayan said he has requested for an additional Rs 400 crore from the Home Ministry to carry out immediate relief and rehabilitation work in the state. "The impact of the disaster is likely to be felt for a long time. The Preliminary assessment indicates that nearly 20000 houses have been fully damaged and nearly 10000 km of state PWD roads damaged. The preliminary loss is around 8316 crore," he tweeted.
"The Chief Minister has requested an amount of Rs 400 crore in addition to the Rs 800 crore already sought for carrying out the immediate relief and rehabilitation. CM also requested that a Central team may be sent again to assess the damages that have occurred during the last week," a second tweet read. The state government has also requested the Centre to declare the calamity a 'rare severity' and provide the required funds and assistance within four weeks.
Taking cognizance of the worsening condition, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj informed that the department has decided that as the situation becomes normal, passports damaged on account floods shall be replaced free of charge. Please contact the concerned Passport Kendras.
More than 60,000 people, including women, toddlers and senior citizens, have been lodged in various relief camps across 14 districts of the southern state following the unprecedented monsoon rains that triggered floods and landslips in several places.