Rainfall in Kerala this August has been abnormally high. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as on August 16, the rainfall was 154 per cent more than the normal level. Between August 1 and 16, the state received 619.5 mm rain. Normally this should be around 244.1 mm. It is thus no surprise why the state is reeling under the worst floods in the past 100 years. At least 324 people have died in this monsoon season. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to review the flood situation. He also conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas around Kochi. The centre has announced an immediate assistance of Rs 500 crore. This is in addition to the Rs 100 crore that was allocated by the Union Home Ministry earlier this month.
Meanwhile, even though the water level in the Perriyar river and Idukki dam is receding, more than 2.23 lakh people are currently housed in 1,500 relief camps, with thousands still being stranded. Supply of essential commodities has been hit hard as roads and rail connectivity have been disrupted.
Here are the top updates on Kerala floods
1) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Rs 500 crore as immediate assistance for flood-hit Kerala. The state government had requested an urgent financial assistance of Rs 2,000 crore. The overall damaged caused in the state is estimated to be around Rs 20,000 crore.
2) The Centre has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh per person to the next kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those who are seriously injured. The Prime Minister said people whose kutcha houses have been destroyed in the devastating Kerala floods will be provided houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin on priority. This will be irrespective of their priority in the permanent wait list of this scheme.
3) The Indian Meteorological department has forecast heavy to very heavy rain in the state in the next 24 hours. The department has also said that rough to very rough conditions will prevail over the Arabian Sea in this period. Fishermen have been advised against going out into the sea.
4) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state is going through the worst floods in a century. He has appealed the Centre and common people to help the state by contributing to the relief and rescue work.
5) On Saturday, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said the Indian Railways has supplied 2.8 lakh litre of drinking water and 1 lakh water bottles are on their way to the flood-affected state. "We are committed towards providing all possible help in this hour of need," he said.
6) A total of 38 helicopters have been deployed for rescue and relief measures. In addition, 20 aircraft are also being used for ferrying resources. Army has deployed 10 columns and 10 teams of Engineering Task Force (ETFs) involving around 790 trained personnel's. Navy is providing 82 teams. The Coast Guard has provided 42 teams; 2 helicopters and 2 ships. Fifty seven teams of NDRF involving about 1,300 personnel and 435 boats are deployed for search and rescue operations. Five companies of BSF, CISF and RAF's have also been deployed.
Source : India Today
No comments:
Post a Comment