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324 lives lost, PM Narendra Modi flies to Kerala to monitor rescue operations

Rescuers from Army, Navy and other forces battle treacherous conditions, pluck people from rooftops from a rain-devastated state

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The unprecedented rains and floods have claimed 324 lives in Kerala so far. With the situation worsening in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the state to take personally take stock of the situation and monitor rescue and evacuation arrangements. Further, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called for donations to his relief fund in order to deal with the worst-ever disaster the state faced in this century. He also had a word with PM Modi over the rescue operations and fresh rain alert for the battered state. "Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years; 80 dams opened, 324 lives lost and 2,23,139 people are in about 1,500+ relief camps (sic)," Vijayan said.

Rescue efforts have been progressing on a war-footing in the state. The National Crisis Management Committee met for the second time in two days in Delhi to review the rescue and relief operations in Kerala.

Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha took stock of the situation with the Chief Secretaries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Sinha thereafter directed to mobilise additional resources of all agencies including Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide the required assistance to Kerala. Cabinet Secretary directed these organisations to provide boats, helicopters, life jackets, life buoys, raincoats, gumboots, inflatable tower lights and other materials.

Kerala Chief Secretary Tom Jose also requested for motorised boats so as to reach people marooned in flood affected areas.

Sinha directed these organisations to mobilise additional boats and equipment including from Central Armed Police Forces such as Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force and Sashastra Seema Bal.

"Use of Naval airstrip at Kochi for use by civilian airlines has been offered to the Kerala Government as the civilian airport remained closed," the Centre stated.

Further, state government has been advised to explore use of V-SAT communication links in areas where telephone connectivity has been disrupted. Sinha also directed that emergency medicines be put on standby. He has also called for meeting on Saturday.

He stated that the Railways has provided 1,20,000 water bottles. Another 1,20,000 bottles are ready to be dispatched. It is also running a special train carrying 2.9 lakh litres of drinking water that will reach Kayakulam on Saturday.

Till now, the Centre has mobilised deployment of 339 motorised boats, 2,800 life jackets, 1,400 life buoys, 27 light towers and 1,000 raincoats. Further, 72 motor boats, 5,000 life jackets, 2,000 life buoys, 13 light towers and 1,000 raincoats are being distributed.

"One lakh food packets have been distributed and arrangements are being made to supply another one lakh food packets. Provision has been made for supply of milk powder as well," the Centre stated.

Indian Navy has deployed 51 boats along with diving teams, 1,000 life jackets and 1,300 gumboots are being rushed to Kerala today. It flew 16 sorties in 48 hours in rescue operations. It will airdrop 1,600 food packets . Coast Guard has deployed 30 boats along with rescue teams, 300 life jackets, seven life rafts and 144 life buoys.

The IAF deployed 23 helicopters and 11 transport aircraft. Some of the aircraft are being flown in from Yelahanka and Nagpur. Army pressed into service 10 columns, 10 Engineering Task Forces (ETFs), 60 boats and 100 life jackets.

National Disaster Response Force has mobilised 43 rescue teams and 163 boats along with other equipment, the Centre stated.

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