Nation gears up to stand by Kerala, contributes generously to recreate a futuristic state of dreams!
New Delhi, August 21: Incessant rainfall and flash floods in Kerala has changed the entire spectrum of Kerala living an impact of the worst nightmare they would have ever seen. As the entire nation gears up to stand by Kerala during this time of crisis, the common man has also donated generously to the people of God’s own country.
With the Centre leaving no stones unturned for helping the needy, various initiatives have been lined up to bring Kerala back on track. The Defence Ministry is one such that needs to be applauded for the cause of efforts pulled in to rescue thousands of stranded at different places. Army, Navy, and NDRF teams continued their rescue and relief efforts. The Indian Army said it will continue to be engaged in the rescue operations till the situation stabilizes.
Southern Command chief Lt Gen DR Soni said that Army's medical teams will extend the first line of relief in coordination with the government. Lt Gen said, there are inaccessible areas and army men will continue to reach out to people who need to be rescued.
Apart from this various government officials have come forward to help the state enabling financial aid. Maharashtra has sent 100 doctors to avail medical facilities to the people living at the rescue relief camps. Assam government started a helpline enabling the people to contribute their share and help people in Kerala. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has appealed to Members of Parliament to donate generously for the cause of Kerala flood victims.
Various officials of government organization have also pitched in to contribute their salary of one month for Kerala floods. Along with this, Central government has decided to exempt basic customs duty and Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) for the goods imported or supplied for flood relief operations in Kerala. Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet that the country stands with Kerala in this hour of need.
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said DGCA is monitoring airfares for flights connecting Kerala. He said the ministry as such cannot interfere with the fares but it is doing it in this time of crisis. Commercial flight operations from the naval airport at Kochi commenced on Monday. Small aircraft are being operated from the naval airport. Relief material, including provisions, water and fuel have started arriving at the Kochi port from different parts of the country.
Keeping in view the intensity and magnitude of the floods and landslides in Kerala, this is a calamity of a severe nature for all practical purposes. This was stated by the Home Ministry in an affidavit before Kerala High Court on Monday.
The Centre said that it is treating the flood situation in the state as a Disaster of Serious Nature and has categorized the same as 'L3 Level of Disaster' under the National Disaster Management Guidelines.
Until now, the risk of raining is declining. On August 17, 82,442 people were rescued, 58,506 people on 18th August, 22,034 on 19 August and 602 for 20 August. The total death toll was 376.
Rescue activity will continue and people are been evacuated as ordered by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Chief Minister also informed that until now 10, 28,073 people are currently living in 3274 camps in the state. Of these 2, 12,735 were women and 2, 03,847 were men. 1, 01,491 children under the age of 12 are in camps.