Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that attempts are being made on war-footing to rescue those stranded in Chengannur.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that attempts are being made on war-footing to rescue those stranded in Chengannur.
Heavy rains have lashed Kerala state for nearly nine days and over 300 people have died so far. Over 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.
Chengannur in Pathnamthitta, Chalakudy in Thrissur and various parts of Ernakulam district are among the worst hit.
Attempts to rescue the stranded are on a war-footing basis. 4 helicopters, 5 military boats and 65 fishing boats are part of operationsm," said Pinarayi Vijayan.
He further said that four 100-member strong army teams have been deployed. "Food is being supplied using helicopters."
Chengannur MLA Saji Cherian had pleaded for more help and said thousands of people were stranded in houses without food and water, if immediate steps are not taken to evacuate them, their life will be in danger.
"For the past five days, people are without food in many places. We urgently need food, medicines, water. People need to be airlifted urgently. Evacuation by Army, Navy and Air Force are urgently needed," Cherian told a television channel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reviewed the situation in flood-hit Kerala, and announced Rs 500 crore immediate assistance, saying the Centre is committed to providing all possible assistance.
Expressing grief over the unfortunate deaths and damage caused to property due to floods, the prime minister observed that rescue of people who are still marooned remains the topmost priority.
Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh per person to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement said.
Meanwhile, Vijayan has also said that as per the initial estimate, the state has suffered a loss of Rs 19,512 crore. The actual loss can be ascertained after the water recedes in the affected areas. The state has sought an immediate assistance of Rs 2,000 crore.
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