19 Aug : New Delhi : –
Flood wrecks continue in Kerala and Karnataka. So far in Kerala, 357 people have been killed in floods and rains while six people have died in Karnataka. 13 out of 14 districts of Kerala are badly affected. However, the red alert issued in all the districts of the province has been withdrawn. That is, now there is hope for some relief from rain. Due to the monsoon this year in the southern state, there is torrential rains since August 9. Most of the districts affected by the rain include areas like Aluva, Chalakudi, Alappuzha, Chengannur and Pathamthitta where rescue operations are being run fast and the rescue parties have saved many people.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy conducts aerial survey of landslides and flood-affected areas in Kodagu for the second day pic.twitter.com/puay8HnLlQ
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2018
Officials said that a large number of people, including senior citizens, women and children, were airlifted from buildings, while many others were evacuated in Army boats, fishing vessels and temporary boats. In many places local people were playing a role in the task of evacuating people along with the defense and NDRF personnel. Tell you, the NDRF team in Kerala is running the biggest relief-relief program till now.
#KeralaFloods: Relief materials being loaded on board Naval Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Chetak helicopter & Naval Sea King helicopter at Naval Air Station INS Garuda in Kochi pic.twitter.com/t2hAtwZivj
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2018
In Ernakulam district, more than 54,000 people have been rescued mainly in Paravur and Aluva Taluk. There were heavy rain and severe water rains in the last two days. In view of so many people being trapped so far, the officials today issued orders to provide private boats and school buses for the rescue operation.
The fishing boats are already being used in the mission. Contact with Nelliampathy is completely cut off in Palakkad district because a bridge has been washed and heavy rains have fallen on the road in constant rain and landslide.
Visuals of relief operations conducted by Air Force at Chengannur. Squadron leader V Joshi says, ' the situation is quite bad. We are trying to rescue people. Right now we are giving them food & water so that they can at least survive till water recedes' #KeralaFloods (18.08.18) pic.twitter.com/xliwch5vEc
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2018
Many places, including Pandanad, Aranmula and Nenmara, were seen floating in the water. There was heavy landslide two days ago. District officials have been asked to be alert to the people living in the downstream of Kakki dam in Pathamnithitta because three out of four shutters have been raised from 75 cm-90 cm.
Help came forward for help
Visuals of rescue operations being conducted at flood-hit Alangad village near Kochi city. #KeralaFloods (18.08.18) pic.twitter.com/vsdxVf4IjI
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2018
The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall in various places in Kerala till August 20. He said that the highest rainfall was today in the Idukki district. In Munnar and Pyrmid towns, 11cm and 10cm rainfall were recorded respectively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance of Rs.500 crores for the flood affected state. Earlier, the Center had announced Rs.100 crore on August 12.
Many states have also given crores of rupees as aid to the floods in Kerala. Congress on Saturday demanded that the floods in Kerala be declared a national calamity. Simultaneously, the Congress said that all the elected representatives of the party would donate their one month’s salary for relief efforts in the state.
Kahar also in Karnataka
Kodagu district of Karnataka is badly affected by rain and flood. Due to floods and landslides, around 1500 people are stranded at different places. Efforts are on to extricate them and the army personnel along with the state officials are conducting rescue and relief operations at the naval war level.
