Kerala gets ₹100cr relief from Centre

Preliminary Estimates Peg Loss At ₹8,316Cr Due To Landslides, Floods & Rain

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kochi:13.08.2018

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced an immediate central flood relief of ₹100 crore to Kerala. Singh, who made an aerial survey of affected areas in Idukki and Ernakulam districts, said the rains and floods had caused “massive damage” to the farming sector and infrastructure like roads and power.

Singh was accompanied by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union minister of state for tourism K J Alphons and other senior government officials in reviewing the situation.

“Kerala is facing unprecedented floods. Never before in the history of independent India has the state witnessed such massive floods. It was back in 1924 when Kerala faced such a big calamity. The floods have damaged crops, infrastructure and individual property as well. The tourism sector has also been hit,” Singh said.

Singh said the Centre was sensitive to the state’s needs and it would leave no stone unturned in ensuring support. He visited a relief camp in Elanthikara, Paravur and interacted with those housed there before attending a meeting with Vijayan, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and officials.

The Kerala government had submitted a memorandum to Singh, seeking the urgent sanction of ₹1,220 crore from the national disaster relief fund to meet the situation. Vijayan said preliminary estimates suggested that Kerala suffered a loss of ₹8,316 crore in the rain, floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, rain lashed several parts of the state since Sunday morning after a brief lull, posing problems to relief work in affected regions. However, the water level in Idukki and Idamalayar dams has come down.



WORDS OF HOPE: Union home minister Rajnath Singh interacting with the residents of the flood relief camp in Elanthikara, Paravur, on Sunday. Minister of state for tourism K J Alphons (in blue) is also seen along with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan (behind Rajnath)

DMK announces ₹1cr flood relief
Chennai :

The DMK working president M K Stalin on Sunday announced a ₹1 crore flood relief, on behalf of his party, to the Kerala government for carrying out relief measures to those affected in heavy rain and resultant floods. He also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

“Unprecedented floods in Kerala have affected many people and has caused damage to properties worth several crores of rupees. The party’s working president M K Stalin has decided to contribute ₹1 crore to Kerala chief minister’s relief fund,” a DMK statement said.

“I have just spoken with @CMOKerala to enquire about the flood situation. On behalf of DMK trust, we have made a contribution of ₹1 crore towards #KeralaFloodRelief. Our thoughts are with those who are affected by the floods and landslides,” Stalin later tweeted.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has already announced a contribution of ₹5 crore to carry out relief works in the rain ravaged Kerala as a mark of support to the neighbouring state. TNN

‘Damaged passports to be replaced free of cost’
New Delhi:

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday announced that passports damaged in floods in Kerala will be replaced free of cost by the government.

“There are unprecedented floods in Kerala causing huge damage. We have decided that as the situation becomes normal, passports damaged on account (of) floods shall be replaced free of charge. Please contact the concerned Passport Kendras,” Swaraj tweeted.

Kerala has been reeling under massive floods in which over 35 people have lost their lives and thousands of people were rendered homeless. Around 10 of the 14 districts in state have been affected by the floods. PTI