Thiruvananthapuram: Rain eased in Kerala on Sunday morning and the red alert from across the state was withdrawn, news agency ANI reported. The rescue work, however, continued round the clock as thousands were forced to remain on trees and rooftops. At least 164 people have died since August 8 and around 6 lakh people have been housed in over 3,000 relief camps across the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was taken for an aerial survey over flooded villages, pledged Rs. 500 crore in central aid and promised more helicopters, boats and other equipment.
The met office has issued Orange alert – which is for weather conditions which can significantly impact people in affected areas – for 10 districts; and yellow alert, a notification to particular areas or groups, for example, coastal areas and fishermen, for 2 districts.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said repairing the havoc wreaked by the worst flood in a century will require at least Rs. 2,000 crore in immediate assistance.
In a tweet, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said, “Dear PM, Increasing funds allocated for Kerala relief to Rs.500 Cr is a good step but nowhere near enough. It is critical you declare the floods as a National Disaster. Please do not vacillate as the people of Kerala are suffering.”
With the airport in Kochi still flooded, a Navy airstrip will be used for passenger flights from Monday, officials have said.
Hundreds of thousands converged in halls and auditoriums of schools, temples, churches, and mosques with little or no toilet facilities. Some people in the relief camps were finding it difficult to access food and water. Videos on social media showed groups of people breaking open shops to take food.
Rescue workers have yet to reach many flooded areas, some too narrow for boats to navigate. Helicopters have been dropping emergency food and water supplies. Special trains carrying drinking water and rice have been sent to the state.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates, where many Keralites work, said he had formed a committee to extend emergency assistance to the flood victims of the state, whose people he said “have always been and are still part of our success story”.
