Kerala floods updates: State Assembly Speaker P Sriramakrishnan cleans affected houses in his constituency in Malappuram

Kerala Assembly Speaker cleans houses affected due to floods in Malappuram

Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sriramakrishnan was seen helping clean the houses affected due to floods in his constituency Ponnani in Malappuram district.

Image courtesy: News18

G Parameshwara visits relief centres in Kushalnagar, Sunticoppa and Madikeri

Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Monday visited various relief centres in Kushalnagar, Sunticoppa and Madikeri. He will hold an officers’ meeting in Madikeri now He also visited rain-hit residential areas in Kushalnagar and Madikeri on Monday.

Input by Coovercolly Indresh/101 Reporters

Kerala must learn lessons from 2004 tsunami relief work in neighbouring Tamil Nadu

The ongoing floods situation in devastated Kerala takes one back to the weeks when parts of Tamil Nadu was battered by the December 2004 tsunami.

On the face of it, comparing tsunami to floods may look as preposterous as comparing fracture to a scratch. But there are as many dis-similarities between the two disasters, as there are similarities at least in some aspects of rehabilitation that Tamil Nadu needed then and Kerala needs now. And there are lessons that those grappling with the Kerala disaster can learn from.

In Tamil Nadu alone, tsunami killed as many as 7,000 people. However, despite the massive difference in the death toll, the task of rehabilitation that lies ahead of Kerala will be same, if not bigger, than what its neighbouring state had to face. 

Govt has asked industrialists, business organisations to help Kerala: Prabhu

​​The government has asked industrialists and business organisations to provide whatever help they feel is appropriate to flood-affected Kerala, which is facing a “humanitarian crisis”, Union minister Suresh Prabhu said.

Prabhu, who holds the portfolios of Commerce and Industry as well as Civil Aviation, also said that domestic airlines have been persuaded to carry cargo free of cost to the state.

Making it clear that the Centre does not want to do “politics” with regard to providing rescue and relief to Kerala, Prabhu said it is only facilitating help. “Govt has asked industrialists and business organisations… to help in whatever (way) they feel is appropriate,” Prabhu said.

PTI

Southern Railway services affected due to closure of Palakkad and Trivandrum area

Several train services run by the Southern Railway have been partially or fully cancelled  due to flooding in Palakkad and Trivandrum.

Due to heavy rains, land slips, flash floods and closure of Palakkad and Trivandrum area , the following changes are made in the pattern of service: pic.twitter.com/5ADzR4avYY

— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) August 20, 2018

Maritime bodies pledge support to flood-ravaged Kerala

Leading maritime bodies — MASSA, MUI and NUSI — have pledged to donate Rs 30 lakh to flood-ravaged Kerala for relief operations. Besides, Anglo Eastern Shipping Group (AESG), Hong Kong said it would provide about $50,000 (about Rs 35 lakh) to the state. 

The Maritime Association of Ship owners Ship managers and Agents (MASSA), The Maritime Union of India (MUI) and National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) will each donate Rs 10 lakh to CMDRF, the three organisations said in a joint statement.

MASSA chairman Prashant Rangnekar said, “In the current situation, MASSA is committed to help the maritime state of Kerala which has contributed immensely to the growth of India’s maritime sector. Many MASSA members too have declared to donate huge sum to CMDRF.”

PTI

Kodagu administration releases list of relief materials needed on priority

Kodagu district administration released a list of relief materials needed on priority. The list includes items like torch lights, mosquito repellants, cooking oil, plastic buckets, warm clothing sanitary napkins, candles and match boxes.

Following relief materials are needed on priority for #KodaguFlood, kindly spread the message. Press note of DC Kodagu attached @CMofKarnataka @RV_Deshpande @KarnatakaVarthe @BlrCityPolice @PIBBengaluru @DDChandanaNews pic.twitter.com/RCy8pzAGZ8

— Revenue Department (Disaster Management) (@SEOC_Karnataka) August 20, 2018

Situation in Kerala improving, rescue ops almost complete: Vice Admiral Luthra

The situation in Kerala is improving and the rescue operations are almost complete, with efforts now moving towards relief and rehabilitation, a senior Navy officer said on Monday.

“As far as the Navy is concerned, we have stepped up our efforts specifically in the last four-five days and today, as you know, the effort is moving more towards providing relief and subsequently towards rehabilitation,” Vice Admiral Girish Luthra Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command (WNC) told reporters in Srinagar.  

“The initial part of rescue has been more or less completed, although a few people may be trapped in different areas. We will be reaching to them and making sure that they are also taken to safe locations,” he said.

PTI

Assam govt announces Rs 3 crore aid to Kerala

The Assam government has announced a financial aid of Rs 3 crore to Kerala. In a statement, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the people of his state have expressed profound grief and sorrow at the unprecedented floods that hit Kerala.

“We can very well realise the pain perpetrated by the floods to the people of Kerala as the people of Assam face such kind of furry every year,” he said.

PTI

GoAir to operate special flights between Mumbai and Trivandrum from 20 to 26 August

#GoAlert
GoAir will operate special flights between Mumbai and Trivandrum w.e.f 20th Aug, 2018. Customers with flights to/from Kochi are requested to contact us on 18602100999 for further assistance. pic.twitter.com/0DPBCfHVPM

— GO FIRST (@GoFirstairways) August 20, 2018

‘Thanks’ painted on rooftop for Naval relief operations

A house in Kochi has painted a thank you note on the roof of a house to express their gratitude for Naval Commander Vijay Varma who had rescued two women from the area on 17 August.

Pressure on land resources could be reason behind rain fury, says ex-ISRO chairman

Pressure on Kerala’s limited land resources due to the growing population, denudation of the Western Ghats and climate change could be the reasons behind the floods that have ravaged the state, eminent scientist K Kasturirangan has said.

The former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation noted that the state’s population had increased in the last century and it “has its own pressures on the environment and resources”. 

“So, together there has been an impact on the environment … The population has increased, there is more demand on resources, which includes land, agriculture and many other activities,” he said.

PTI

Kerala minister says health and sanitation is state’s priority

Kerala health minister KK Shailaja said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had discussed the situation in the state with the ministry officials. “Our priority right now is health and sanitation. We have all the resources required to help the people and we also urge them to come forward if they any issue related to the same,” she said.

CM has spoken to us & we've discussed the situation at hand, our priority right now is health & sanitation. We have all the resources required to help the people & we also urge them to come forward if they any issue related to the same: Kerala Health Min KK Shailaja #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/dpY7GRIYGu

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

25 Supreme Court judges to contribute Rs 25,000 each towards Kerala floods relief fund

Twenty five judges belonging to the Supreme Court have decided to donate Rs 25,000 each towards the relief fund for Kerala floods.

25 #SupremeCourt Judges to contribute Rs 25,000 each towards #KeralaFloods relief fund. @News18Courtroom https://t.co/3xQK0lNu2f

— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) August 20, 2018

Prisoners prepare chapathis for flood victims in Kerala

The inmates of the central prison in Thiruvananthapuram are toiling hard to feed those staying in relief camps across Kerala, where the worst flood of the century has claimed 210 lives since August 8 and displaced over 7 lakh people.

Ever since the torrential rains started lashing the state causing massive destruction across its length and breadth, the prisoners began preparing large number of chapathis and vegetable curry for relief camp inmates and those stranded in marooned houses.

PTI

Indian Air Force sets up a medical camp at Thiruvalla

The Indian Air Force shared visuals from a medical camp that was set up at Thiruvalla on Monday.

Update on #KeralaFloodRelief: Indian Air Force sets up a Medical Camp for flood affected people at Thiruvalla on 20 Aug 2018. pic.twitter.com/w3ho0mTDdp

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 20, 2018

NDMA shares report on Kerala floods 

As of 12 pm on Monday, 14 districts have been affected due to heavy rains and floods in Kerala. Over 5 lakh people from 775 villages have been affected. A total of 361 people have died in rain-related incidents.

#KeralaFloods Report. #KeralaFloods2018 #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/UwjH1y8reD

— NDMA India | राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण 🇮🇳 (@ndmaindia) August 20, 2018

Gurdwara committee sends relief material from Punjab

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is sending two relief camp teams to Kerala; one by road and the other by air.

Punjab: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is sending flood relief material for people affected due to #KeralaFloods. Two relief camp teams are being sent; one by road and the other by air. pic.twitter.com/MJGxmdFBB1

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Madikeri-Mangaluru highway damaged due to landslide

The Madikeri-Mangaluru national highway is damaged from Jodupala (8 kilometres from Madikeri) to Sampaje, owing to huge landslide. Officials say it will take weeks to repair the road. In some places, miscreants have started collecting donations in the name of Kodagu victims. Rescue workers have appealed people to inquire before contributing.

Input by Coovercolly Indresh/ 101Reporters

Research establishments send food for Kodagu

Mysore-based Defence Food Research laboratories (DFRL) and Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) supplied one truck load high-protein biscuits, upma, lemon rice, dal, rice to Kodagu district. The largest self-help group micro-finance organisation of the state, Shri Kshetra Dharmastala Rural development programme (SKDRDP) extended two weeks time to repay weekly installments to its members.

Input by Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

Thirteen villages completely destroyed in Kodagu

According to Kodagu district officials, more than 1,128 houses have completely collapsed, while more than 1,700 houses were partially damaged due to the heavy rains.  The district has a total of 296 villages, of which 235 villages have been hit by rains and landslides. Thirteen villages have been completely destroyed or have seen life-threatening landslides. More than 50,000 people incurred losses and are in distress. Nearly 5,000 victims have been provided shelter in 41 relief camps set up three taluks — Madikeri , Virajpet and Somwarpet. The areas in Madikeri taluk suffered maximum damage.

Input by Coovercolly Indresh/101Reporters

CISF distributes rations, eatables, clothes, blankets, drinking water in flood-hit areas

Rations, eatables, clothes, blankets, drinking water distributed to the flood-affected people by #CISF #KeralaFloodReliefs pic.twitter.com/0eNwnrFuOZ

— CISF (@CISFHQrs) August 20, 2018

Telangana IAS officers to donate a day’s salary towards Kerala relief fund

Telangana IAS Officers’ Association on Monday said it has resolved to contribute at least one day salary of the serving officers to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Expressing concern at the loss of lives and hardship faced by the people in the floods, the association extended solidarity and support for the ongoing rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts being carried out in the state. “The Telangana State IAS Officers’ Association further resolved to contribute at least one day salary of the serving IAS officers in Telangana to the CM Relief Fund of Kerala as a small contribution to the rescue, relief and rehabilitation work,” a statement issued by the association said.

Baba Ramdev sends relief material worth Rs 50 lakh to Kerala, Karnataka

“The nation is proud of the rescue and relief operations conducted by our security forces in the flood affected areas,” yoga guru Baba Rambev added. 

Relief material worth Rs.50 Lakh has been sent to flood affected areas of #Kerala & #Karnataka & we will be sending material worth Rs.1.5 crore more. Nation is proud of the rescue & relief operations conducted by our security forces in the flood affected areas: Yoga Guru Ramdev pic.twitter.com/U8iN6R8Y1N

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

30,000 people rescued by armed forces

Around 30,000 people have been successfully rescued by Indian Armed Forces in flood affected areas while 3,500 people have been provided medical aid in flood affected areas of Kerala. 

Update on #KeralaFloodRelief efforts:

Around 30000 people have been successfully rescued by Indian Armed Forces in flood affected areas while 3500 people have been provided medical aid in flood affected areas of Kerala. #KeralaFloods @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/o879hawdtC

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 20, 2018

WATCH: Pregnant, paralysed woman rescued to safety near Aluva

A wheelchair-bound (paralysed below waist) pregnant woman was winched to safety in a very challenging hover by Captain P Rajkumar Shaurya Chakra near north of Aluva.

#OpMadad #KeralaFloodsRelief #KeralaFloods Wheelchair bound(paralysed below the waist) pregnant lady being winched up to safety in a very challenging hover by Captain P Rajkumar Shaurya Chakra. Location is some where in North of Aluva @DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman @CMOKerala pic.twitter.com/KW0mw36eCu

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 20, 2018

Armed forces deploy 243 motorised, 24 non-motorised, 21 boats to conduct rescue ops

On Monday, the Indian Army, navy, and coast guard deployed 243 motorised, 24 non-motorised and 21 boats to conduct the rescue and relief operations in Kerala, said the defence ministry. 

Update #KeralaFloodRelief efforts:

243 motorised, 24 non-motorised and 21 hired boats from @adgpi , @indiannavy & @IndiaCoastGuard have been deployed to enable effective movement of citizens to safer locations and relief camps.#KeralaFloods@nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/rXgG8qlGmZ

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 20, 2018

NDMA issues advisory for those stranded in Kerala

The NDMA issued an advisory on Monday and asked people to not venture deep, unkwon waters. “Use a stick to measure depth,” read the advisory. 

‘Rescue ops have not been called off yet’: Army commander supervising relief ops

Asserting that the rescue operations in Kerala have not yet been called off, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lieutenant General DR Soni said they will make up for the shortcomings in the rescue operations. “The rescue operations have not been called off. People are inaccessible, mobile phones are switched. We have 17 satellite phones. We also have some drones which we will deploy in rain-less condition,” he said. 

“Around 70 teams are present there with boats, life vests and food packets. Places where light and helicopters can’t reach my boys have reached,” he added. 

Around 70 teams are present there with boats, life vests & food packets. Places where light & helicopters cant reach my boys have reached: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lt Gen DR Soni on #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/zSiNf6uyPh

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Malayali Associatation in Jamshedpur cancels Onam celebrations

A Malayali association in Jamshedpur has decided to cancel Onam celebrations this year in view of the devastating floods in Kerala that claimed over 370 lives and rendered more than seven lakh people homeless, reported News18. 

Kerala Samajam, comprising 3.000 members, celebrates Onam in a grand manner every year, but this time no one is in a mood to rejoice, said Sunil Kumar, the general secretary of the association.

SC judges will also contribute to Kerala flood relief fund, says CJI Dipak Misra

Chief Justice Dipak Misra on Monday said that all Supreme Court judges will contribute to the Kerala flood relief fund, PTI reported. Earlier Attorney General KK Venugopal had donated Rs 1cr towards the relief fund. 

A bench comprising CJI and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud made the observation during the hearing of a PIL that had sought barring of lawmakers from practising in courts across the country.

“We are also making some contribution. Judges of this court are also making contribution for the flood relief fund,” the bench said. The observation came after Attorney General KK Venugopal referred to the “grave tragedy” that has struck Kerala rendering 10 million people homeless.

State minister on Germany trip returns after rap from Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala forest minister K Raju  returned from his Germany trip after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan censured him for going abroad while the state drowned in the worst floods since 1924, reported India Today. 

On Saturday, Vijayan cancelled his visit to the Mayo Clinic in the US.

NDRF personnel rescue pregnant woman in Alapad village in Thrissur district

#NDRF rescuers safely Evacuating an expecting mother Smt Sujitha, R/o Pullu from flood affected village Alppad ,Distt- Thrissur (Kerala). pic.twitter.com/kjP79X8V0A

— NDRF 🇮🇳 (@NDRFHQ) August 20, 2018

Kozhikode teen ends life after rains destroy school certificates

Heartbroken on finding his Class 12 certificates destroyed in the devastation caused by the deadly monsoon in Kerala, a 19-year-old boy, committed suicide, police said on Monday.

With his house fully waterlogged in the downpour, the boy, and his parents, hailing from Karanthur in Kozhikode district, had moved to a relief camp three days ago. Kailash had got admission for a course in the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and had purchased new clothes and set apart some money for higher studies, they said.

As the rains abated for a while, he returned home on Sunday to take a look at the house and was shocked to find his plus two certificates soaked in water and in tatters. A police officer attached to the Kunnamanagalam station said the boy’s death came to light later in the day on Sunday when his parents came to clean up the house as the water receded.

Over 50,000 people rescued in Ernakulam in last four days

Rescue operations in the flood-ravaged Ernakulam district was declared to be on Monday morning over with more than 50,000 people rescued in the last four days, The Hindu quoted district collector Mohammed Y Safirulla as saying. Only those stranded at Kuthiyathodu in North Paravur and Poovathussery in Parakkadavu block in Angamaly remain to be evacuated. “We are waiting for the road to those areas to become accessible,” Safirulla told The Hindu.

Life in Idukki limps back to normalcy

On Monday, as water slowly receded, life in Idukki district, one of the worst affected in the Kerala floods, limped back to normalcy. Work is in progress to re-establish connectivity and restore communication. 

Life in Idukki gradually moves back to normal. ATM services also resume. Work in progress to re-establish connectivity and restore communication. Visuals from Kattappana area. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/GVm2R8bnar

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

College students in Chengannur create Google doc to record list of people lodged in relief camps

Students and employees of Chengannur Engineering College and Christian College have put together a list of people lodged in relief camps and are updating the list as and when people are coming, reported News18. They said that since connectivity is low in Chengannur following the devastating floods, the list would help people relocate their relatives. You can access the Google doc here.

Karnataka: 181 people rescued in Kodagu

“We have rescued 181 people from multiple locations. 41 government relief camps are being currently run. We are providing medical and other facilities,” said  Sreevidya PI, Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu District. 

We have rescued 181 people from multiple locations, 41 govt relief camps are being currently run, we are providing medical and other facilities: Sreevidya P.I, Deputy Commissioner of #Kodagu District, Karnataka #KarnatakaRains pic.twitter.com/3KZRaZnrlm

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

As rains abate, animal carcasses pose risk to public health in Kerala

As flood waters recede in Kerala, residents are greeted with decomposing carcasses of animals killed in the deadly floods that took the lives of 370 people so far. Hundreds of such carcasses have been found floating in water in Alappuzha and Chalakudy, reported   The News Minute . In the Divine Retreat Centre, bodies of 300 animals have been found. 

As no government organisation or private body is ready to clear the bodies yet, the decomposing carcasses pose a threat to public health.

Southern Railway sets up special counters at parcel offices of major stations

For those in Tamil Nadu, the Southern Railway has set up special counters at parcel offices of 11 major stations — Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, Salem, Tirunelveli, Villupuram, Karur, Tirupur, Erode, Coimbatore — for booking Kerala relief flood material. 

Southern Railway has set up special counters at Parcel Offices of Major stations for booking #KeralaFloodRelief materials #AllForKerala #KeralaRainsHelp pic.twitter.com/hHWRXijpLF

— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) August 19, 2018

Karnataka: HD Kumaraswamy sends temporary toilets to relief centres in Kodagu

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy promised on Sunday that  he would send 120  temporary toilets to relief centres in Kodagu. The temporary toilets  arrived in trucks to the 41 relief centres in the district housing several people who have been rescued in the past few days.

Input by Coovercolly Indresh/101 Reporters

Do Kerala floods qualify as national disaster?

While the clamour to declare the Kerala floods as a national disaster rises, let’s see when can you declare a natural calamity a national disaster. As of now, there is no fixed criteria.

As per the Disaster Management Act, 2005, there is no such provision for a disaster to be given more importance or urgency in relief only if its is declared as a national disaster. That is, it states that any calamity which is termed to be of “severe nature” or a “rare severity” will get adequate financial support and assistance from rescue forces such as the NDRF. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) identifies ‘vulnerable zones’ for various natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones etc. and charts guidelines accordingly.

Central government officials have said that declaring Kerala floods as a ’national disaster’ on paper is not going to help the state any more than what is already being extended to it in terms of financial aid and deployment of relief and rescue forces on the ground. 

Read full article here

3,757 medical camps set up in Kerala: JP Nadda

Union minister JP Nadda said that till now, 3,757 medical camps have been set up across flood-hit Kerala. He said there is a requirement of 90 different medicines and that the first batch has already reached. Nadda also issued an advisory for daily monitoring and surveillance. “Quick response medical teams to start work as soon as water recedes,” he added.

Contact officers coordinating different aspects of flood relief 

According to the NDMA , here are contact details of officers handling different aspects of the flood relief efforts:

Medicines and health personnel: Rajeev Sadanandan ACS (+91 98688 29495)

Health control room: 1800 1231 454

Food supplies: Kamal Rao Pr.Secy (+918129203333)

Non food items: Biswanath, Pr.Secy (+9172900 02121)

Indian Army rescues 57 civilians from Chengannur

Captain Syed Ashad Ahmed of 8 Engineer Regiment, established a captive ferry to rescue 57 civilians from Chengannur. the army has made 15 bridges, provided relief material to 20 villages, and meals ready to eat to 1,200 civilians. 

#Update #KeralaFloods2018 Captain Syed Ashad Ahmed of 8 Engineer Regiment, established captive ferry to rescue 57 civilians from Chngannur. #IndianArmy made 15 bridges, provided relief material to 20 villages, meals ready to eat to 1200 civilians. #OpMadad @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/5plDy3x7z3

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 20, 2018

WATCH: Coast guard rescue 50 people from Thiruvella in day-night operation

The Indian Coast Guard rescued 50 people, including women and children, in a day-night operation from flooded houses in Thiruvella area and shifted them safely to the nearest relief camp.

#KeralaFloods2018 #OPRAHAT @IndiaCoastGuard Rescue team in a day night operation rescued 50 people including women & children from the flooded houses in #Thiruvella area & shifted them safely to the nearest Relief camp. @DefenceMinIndia @CMOKerala @SpokespersonMoD @DG_PIB pic.twitter.com/DzPeclZNHY

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) August 20, 2018

Ensure relief reaches migrant workers in Kerala too, says Pinarayi Vijayan

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday, in a review meeting on Sunday, instructed state officials to ensure that relief also reached Kerala’s inter-state migrant workers. There are thousands of migrant workers in the affected areas, many of whom lack shelter and food.

Federal Bank services restored in Kerala

Federal Bank, a major private sector commercial bank headquartered in Aluva, said on Monday that except for 30 branches, all others were working normally. The bank said that the worst is over for most parts of Kerala and their 600 branches were in service.

Temporary check-in counter at the Kochi naval airport

#OpMadad #KeralaFloods #KeralaFloods2018 Temporary Check-in counter. Passengers checking in at INS Garuda Kochi (SFNA building) which is a makeshift arrangement to ensure Kochi remains connected by air to the rest of the country @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @AAI_Official pic.twitter.com/SQaCMz5IMD

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 20, 2018

Map showing naval deployment for rescue, relief ops in Kerala at 10.30 am today

The  Indian Navy also said that more teams are being rushed or relocated to Chengannur for the rescue operations. 

Image courtesy: Twitter @indiannavy

Regional CRPF Wife’s Welfare Association in Tamil Nadu sends relief aid to Kerala with RAF trucks 

Regional CRPF Wife’s Welfare Association in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore flagged off relief materials consisting of dry ration, clothes, medicines and sanitary items in 12 trucks with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) team to Kerala’s Thrissur and Chalakudy districts, ANI reported

Regional CRPF Wife’s Welfare Association in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore flagged off relief materials consisting of dry rations, clothing, medicines, sanitary items in 12 trucks with Rapid Action Force (RAF) team to Kerala's Thrissur and Chalakudy. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/IG05ePXqim

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Venkaiah Naidu calls review meeting on Kerala floods

Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu called a review meeting on Kerala floods with Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh and decided to donate a month’s salary for relief measures in the state.

Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu called a review meeting on #KeralaFloods with Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh and other senior officials of Rajya Sabha and Vice President Secretariat and decided to donate a month’s salary for relief measures pic.twitter.com/izaFtllTV7

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Trains to resume operations as per normal schedule

Nizamuddin- Ernakulam Mangala Lakshadweep Express, Mangalore-Nagercoil Parasuram Express, Jamnagar–Tirunelveli Express and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus -Thiruvananthapuram Netravathi Express from Shoranur junction to run as per normal schedule, ANI reported.

Indian Navy team rescues 109 people stranded in Thrissur

On Sunday, Indian Navy rescue team joined six ropes across a stream in Thrissur rescuing 109 people who were stranded on the other side after the bridge over it collapsed

#KeralaFloods: Indian Navy rescue team joined six ropes across a stream in Thrissur yesterday rescuing 109 people who were stranded on the other side after the bridge over it collapsed pic.twitter.com/jPGPX9po76

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Meanwhile, a video showing Karnataka PWD minister throwing biscuit packets at relief camp draws flak

A video showing Karnataka PWD minister throwing biscuit packets at relief camp draws flak as twitter users call it “disgusting display of insensitivity”.

Disgusting display of insensitivity by Karnataka Minister for PWD H D Revanna. Throwing biscuit packs at people in a relief camp, all for a photo op! It isn't enough that govt ensures ppl's safety at times like this, remember to treat them with dignity too! pic.twitter.com/FsA5me1TDj

— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) August 20, 2018

KJ Alphons calls for electricians, plumbers to rush to Kerala

Union tourism minister called for electricians and plumbers to rush to Kerala. “There’ll be no electricity in homes. Carpentry, plumbing would be gone. We need hundreds of thousands of electricians, plumbers, carpenters to rush to Kerala. We don’t need clothes/food. People with technical capabilities are required to put life back into Kerala,” Alphons said.

There'll be no electricity in homes. Carpentry, plumbing would be gone. We need hundreds of thousands of electricians, plumbers, carpenatrs to rush to Kerala. We don't need clothes/food.Ppl with technical capabilities are reqd to put life back into Kerala:KJ Alphons.#KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/L9X0MLHOQC

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Passengers arrive at INS Garuda Kochi Naval Air Station as commercial flight service begins

Passengers arrive at INS Garuda Kochi Naval Air Station as commercial flights service begins at the station due to flooding of Cochin International Airport.

Kochi: Passengers are at INS Garuda Kochi Naval Air Station as commercial flights service begins at the station due to flooding of Cochin International Airport. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/Q0af48nzVz

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Shiv Sena MPs, MLAs to contribute one-month salary to relief fund

All MPs and MLAs of Shiv Sena to contribute their one month salary to Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. 

All MPs and MLAs of Shiv Sena to contribute their one month salary to Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund. #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/thCLMd95PT

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Suhel Seth slams airlines for charging exorbitant ticket prices on flights to Kerala

Marketing guru Suhel Seth, questioned the logic behind private air carriers charging high ticket prices for flights to Thiruvananthapuram. As per the screenshot he put up, Air Vistara charged Rs 13,011 for a direct flight to Thiruvananthapuram, SpiceJet Rs 23,422 for one stop, and Jet Airways Rs 87.246 for two stops. 

Private air carriers recently capped prices on direct flights to Kerala in wake of the devastating floods in the state. 

In response to Seth’s tweet, Air Vistara CEO Sanjiv Kapoor tweeted that the fares mentioned for SpiceJet and Jet Airways were not for direct flights but for flights with one or more stops. 

Is the DGCA asleep? Look at these vultures (other than @airvistara) and see how they are making money through the misery of others? Absolute shame! @sureshpprabhu : severe action needs to be taken... @narendramodi @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/eyL1TSjZKK

— SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) August 19, 2018

Visuals from a relief camp in Chengannur

Chengannur is one of the worst-affected places in Kerala. 

#KeralaFloods: Visuals from a relief camp in flood-hit Chengannur, in Kerala pic.twitter.com/VHlqHuUWWl

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Drinking water to be fully restored in Kochi by tomorrow

With rescue operations in the final stages, drinking water supply is expected to be fully restored in Kochi city by Tuesday. 

On Sunday, 13 people lost their lives while 7,24,649 lakh people were housed in 5,645 relief camps across the state.

Rescue ops completed in Ernakulam, says DC

The Ernakulam district collector said that all rescue operations in the district have been completed.

Majority of the rescue efforts are ongoing in Kuttanad in Alappuzha, where hundreds are still believed to be stranded. Apart from this, people in few wards inside the Pandanad panchayat are still marooned as rescuers are finding it difficult to cross the Pampa river to reach the stranded people.

Indian Navy steps up rescue efforts; INS Mumbai to be dispatched today

As the massive floods continue to wreak havoc in the state of Kerala, the Western Naval Command on Sunday sailed Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mysore with relief material to provide assistance to the flood-hit state.

On the night of 19 August, the ship carried about 70 tonnes of relief material which includes bottled water, ready to eat meals, fresh ration, milk, biscuits and other miscellaneous things like medicines, essential toiletries, phenyl, gash bags, bleaching powder, and candles. The relief material also included items received from some NGOs situated in Mumbai.

The ship also carried one Chetak helicopter for augmenting air effort of the Southern Naval Command. A second ship, INS Mumbai is also being prepared with relief material and would depart for Kochi by the morning of 20 August.

‘Thanks’ painted on rooftop of house where woman in labour was rescued in Kochi

Commander Vijay Varma, who saved a woman in early stages of labour earlier this week by winching her to a helicopter from a stranded building, was applauded by many when a ‘Thanks’ note was found painted on the roof of a house from where he had rescued two women.

#Kerala: A 'Thanks' note painted on the roof of a house in Kochi from where the Naval ALH piloted by Cdr Vijay Varma had rescued two women on August 17. pic.twitter.com/lwxHkQwzXc

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Idukki registers 92% excess rainfall 

Rainfall over Kerala during the South West Monsoon (June 1 to Aug 19) has been exceptionally high. Kerala has so far received 2346.6 mm rains against the normal of 1649.5 mm, according to IMD.

High-range Idukki recorded the highest excess rainfall (92 percent above normal) followed by Palakkad (72 percent above normal).

First flight of IndiGo lands at Kochi naval base

After commercial flight operations commenced in Kochi from the naval airport, IndiGo became the second air carrier to land at the base after floods forced the Kochi airport to be shut down. Earlier on Monday morning, Air Alliance landed at the INS Garuda naval base. 

#OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 First aircraft of @IndiGo6E also lands at INS Garuda Kochi Naval Air Station @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @nsitharaman @CMOKerala pic.twitter.com/JjCyBLaN3d

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 20, 2018

WATCH: RAF personnel build temporary bridge in Palakkad

The Rapid Action Force personnel can be seen building a temporary bridge to block flood water from entering paddy fields in Palakkad district’s Erumachery. 

#WATCH Temporary bridge being built by Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Palakkad's Erumachery to block flood water from entering paddy fields. #KeralaFloods (19 August) pic.twitter.com/RHEQncAndu

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Indian Army against imposter posing as army officer

The Indian Army issued a notification about an imposter wearing an army combat uniform in a video and said the man was spreading false information about the rescue and relief efforts. 

Imposter wearing Army combat uniform in video spreading disinformation about rescue & relief efforts. Every effort by all & #IndianArmy aimed to overcome this terrifying human tragedy.Forward disinformation about #IndianArmy on WhatsApp +917290028579. We are at it #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/ncUR7tCkZW

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 19, 2018

Video of man letting women use him as stepping stone to climb into boat goes viral, is dubbed ‘humanity at its finest’

Though rains in Kerala have receded, the rescue operations to save people stranded in different parts of the flood-ravaged state continue. Part of the rescue operations in Malappuram district was a 32-year-old fisherman who offered his body as a stepping stone to help women climb on to a rescue boat which otherwise might have been too high for them to reach.

The fisherman from Tanur, identified as Jaisal KP, rescued three women in Vengara’s Muthalamad area on Saturday, according to News18. A video of the rescue and Jaisal’s actions therein has gone viral on social media.

Air Alliance flight, which landed in Kochi, returns to Bengaluru

The Air Alliance flight that landed at the Kochi naval base on Monday morning, returned towards Bengaluru at 9.15 am, said Union minister Suresh Prabhu. He also added that flights to and from Coimbatore and Madurai are also in the pipeline. 

The @airindiain flight landed at INS Garuda will take off to Bangalore at 9:15am today. More destinations such as Coimbatore, Madurai are also in the pipeline. Other airlines are likely to join this effort too. All possible steps are being taken #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/VZsb8uzBFv

— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 20, 2018

Centre to send 50 tonnes of medicine to Kerala

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will airlift 60 tonnes of emergency medicines on Monday. It has put six specialised medical teams on standby, a spokesperson said. The Railways will provide blankets and bedsheets to meet the immediate requirements of the state government.

Doctors from Mumbai, Pune leave for Thiruvananthapuram

Fifty-five doctors from JJ Hospital in Mumbai, and 26 doctors from Pune’s Sassoon hospital and paramedical staff will leave for Thiruvananthapuram in two Air India aircraft. At the moment, Kerala requires a large number of medical professionals to aid in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. 

Mumbai: 55 doctors from JJ Hospital, 26 doctors from Pune's Sassoon hospital and paramedical staff leave for Thiruvananthapuram in two Air India aircraft. #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/JliJ3S98UZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2018

Large quantity of medicines required in Kerala

Health Minister KK Shailaja admitted that although the water level had fallen in many areas, medical facilities might not have reached certain regions due to the magnitude of the crisis. “This is because medical professionals found it difficult to reach the affected areas… We need a huge quantity of medicines. A major health drive is being planned to prevent communicable diseases,” she said.

KSRTC restores bus transport services to Kerala

Meanwhile, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation resumed inter-state bus services to Kerala’s Ernakulam, Kottayam, Trissur, Palghat, Calicut, Cannanore and Thiruvananthapuram areas. The government said that they were going to operate 32 buses from Bengaluru towards Kerala sector, reported News18

India Inc extends aid for Kerala flood victims

With heavy rains continuing to wreak havoc in Kerala, India Inc has extended relief measures to the victims by offering donations. Meanwhile, industry body CII has set up a task force chaired by its former president Kris Gopalakrishnan to work on relief measures for victims in flood devastated Kerala in coordination with the state government and the district administrations.

While JSW Group said it has initiated a group-wide initiative wherein its employees voluntarily contribute in cash as well as in kind, TVS Motor Company has contributed Rs one crore to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

Telangana Deputy CM Mohammad Mahmood Ali to donate one month’s salary

Telangana deputy chief minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali has decided to donate his one-month salary to flood-hit Kerala state, reported ANI. As a gesture of support, Telangana home minister, Nayani Narshimha Reddy also handed over a cheque of Rs 25 crore to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday.

Keralite sacked from Gulf firm over insensitive remarks about flood victims

A Gulf firm has fired a man from Kerala after he made insensitive comments on a social media post on the plight of the flood-hit victims in the state. The company, Lulu Group International dismissed Rahul Cheru Palayattu, who worked as a cashier at the company’s branch in Oman after he mocked the sanitation requirements of the flood victims in Kerala on Facebook, Dubai-based Khaleej Times reported.

After facing the heat for his remarks, Rahul apologised by posting a video on Facebook on Sunday, “I am really sorry for what I did. I was in an inebriated state when I posted that message. At that time I did not know what I did was a grave mistake.”

Train services restored in Ernakulam district

Railways restored passenger and express train services in the flood-hit Ernakulam district due to “early completion of restoration works in the division”. The rise in water level in Periyar had a major impact on the flood situation with waters marooning many houses and commercial establishments in Aluva, Paravur and Perumbavoor.

Pinarayi Vijayan praises fishermen’s role in rescue efforts

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid special tributes to Kerala’s famed fishermen who played a key role in rescuing hundreds and navigating through dangerous waters. Every fisherman who took part in the rescue act would be given Rs 3,000 each, he said. “We will always be grateful for their support and help.”

Were there early signs of Kerala floods?

Dam-safety expert N Sasidharan claimed that authorities waited till the water level in the Idamalayar reservoir reached its capacity of 169 feet, but had it been opened sooner, it would likely have spared the massive evacuation efforts in the vicinity. 

MC Joseph of Kuttikkatt village near Eloor said that the authorities made a mistake by opening all four gates of the dam at once, flooding the underlying regions at a much faster rate than expected.

“This is the result of poor planning by the disaster management authority,” Sasidharan added.

“Sitting at Geneva, I had on 14 June cautioned that the reservoirs will be filled by July. I had made the prediction based on the experience in Thailand and Pakistan,” Murali Thummarukudy, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said to Malayala Manorama, a Kerala daily.

Read full article here

50,000 metric tonnes of food grains sent to Kerala

Meanwhile, the Department of Food and Public Distribution has made available 50,000 metric tonnes of food grains (rice and wheat) to meet the immediate needs with additional quantities in the pipeline, an official spokesperson said after the National Crisis Management Committee  (NCMC) meeting.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has made arrangements to airlift 100 metric tonnes of pulses by Monday with additional quantities to be sent by train.

UAE reaching out to Kerala amid devastating floods highlights North India’s apathy even more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged this unprecedented show of support from abroad. He tweeted: “A big thank you to Sheikh Mohammed for his gracious offer to support people of Kerala during this difficult time. His concern reflects the special ties between the governments and people of India and UAE.”

However, the prime minister’s gratitude cannot deflect from Delhi’s nonchalance and the northern belt’s slow response to the disaster. The floods in Kerala were underplayed, much like the 2016 deluge in Chennai, and the North’s “not-much-to-do-with-us” attitude is profoundly questionable. In comparison, Mumbai has been far more hands on in gathering aid for Kerala, with as many as 46 centres set up to collect relief material. It is only now — more than a week after the flooding started — that Delhi has taken stock of the severity of the situation, and NGOs and professionals like lawyers, motivated by Justice Kurian Joseph, pitched in to help. While rescue efforts will pick up pace now, there are fears that Kerala will need more than a helping hand as the waters recede.

Read full article here

Trains cancelled on Monday (2/2)

15. Train No 56365 Kollam-Edaman Passenger. 16. Train No 56377 Alappuzha-Kayamkulam Passenger 17. Train No 56362 Kottayam-Nilambur Passenger. 18. Train No 56363 Nilambur-Kottayam Passenger. 19. Train No 66307 Ernakulam-Kollam MEMU. 20. Train No 56371 Guruvayur-Ernakulam Passenger. 21. Train No 56370 Ernakulam-Guruvayur Passenger. 22. Train No 56375 Guruvayur-Ernakulam Passenger. 23. Train No 56376 Ernakulam-Guruvayur Passenger. 24. Train No 56373 Guruvayur-Thrissur Passenger. 25. Train No 56374 Thrissur-Guruvayur Passenger. 26. Train No 56043 Guruvayur-Thrissur Passenger. 27. Train No 56044 Thrissur-Guruvayur Passenger. 28. Train No 56361 Shoranur-Ernakulam Passenger.

Trains cancelled for the day (1/2)

According to The Times of India , the following trains have been cancelled for Monday: 1. Train No 22114 Kochuveli–Lokamanya tilak Express. 2. Train No 12258 Kochuveli-Yeshwantpur Triweekly Express. 3. Train No 12217 Kochuveli-Chandigarh Sampark Kranti express. 4. Train No 12678 Ernakulam-KSR Bengaluru Intercity Express. 5. Train No 12617 Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Mangalalakshadweep express. 6. Train No 10216 Ernakulam-Madgaon Weekly Superfast Express. 7. Train No 12683 Ernakulam-Banaswadi Biweekly Superfast Express. 8. Train No 16791 Punalur-Palakkad Palaruvi Express. 9. Train No 16792 Palakkad-Punalur Palaruvi Express. 10. Train No 16308 Kannur-Alappuzha Executive Express. 11. Train No 12081 Kannur-Thiruvananthapuram Janshatabdi Express. 12. Train No 12082 Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur Janshatabdi Express. 13. Train No 16605 Mangalore-Nagercoil Ernad Express. 14. Train No 56366 Punalur-Kollam Passenger.

TRS MPs to donate one month’s salary towards flood relief fund

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MPs will donate one-month’s salary towards the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

Centre puts focus on food, medicine, fuel

With over 7.24 lakh people taking shelter in 5,645 relief camps, the government on Sunday directed the central ministries to focus on providing essential commodities and medicine and restoration of vital services in flood-hit Kerala.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) in its review meeting directed that focus should now be on provision of emergency supplies of food, water, medicines and restoration of essential services such as power, fuel, telecom and transport links as flood water recedes in Kerala, an official spokesperson said.

Pope appeals to international community to help flood victims in Kerala

Pope Francis on Sunday appealed to the international community to provide “concrete support” to tens of thousands of flood victims in Kerala, calling the deluge a “great calamity”. Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the flooding at St Peter’s Square, the Vatican News reported.

“The inhabitants of Kerala have been harshly struck by intense rains, which have caused flooding and landslides, with heavy loss of human life, with many people missing and displaced, with extensive damage to crops and homes,” he said.

85-year-old goes to relief camp after no food at home

Even when water levels rose dangerously in his sprawling century-old house on the waterfront located at Thiruvalla, 85-year-old Kochukunju Mathews, who lives alone on the one-acre property refused to leave. He had a boat and a jetty earlier but he does not keep any of them for the past several years, said his niece S Varghese. “The waters from the Pampa river usually rise up to the stone steps leading to the house but it is an annual occurrence in the monsoons. No one takes that seriously. My uncle fiercely guards his privacy and is in love with the 100 year-old house where he has been living alone for many years now,” she said.

When the water levels rose last week, Mathews decided to stay put instead of moving to a relief camp. His daughter in Bengaluru tried calling him but the phones were not working. She then decided to call the relief camp and asked them to rescue her father. Since the cook could not come home and make his meals, Mathews had not eaten for over two days. “That forced him to go to the Thiruvalla camp in Pathanamthitta.

Maximum evacuation in Pathanamthitta and other districts on Sunday

Fishermen, NCC, navy and air force continued to rescue the marooned, with Sunday witnessing the maximum evacuation of people from Chengannur, Pandalam, Thiruvalla, several areas in Pathanamthitta district and in Aluva, Angamaly and Paravur in Ernakulam.

All-party meeting on Tuesday

The Kerala government has called for an all-party meeting on Tuesday to review the rescue and relief operations and discuss the rehabilitation challenge before the state, reported The Hindu.

Pinarayi Vijayan cancels US trip 

In view of the grave situation in Kerala due to floods, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has call off his proposed trip to the US for medical treatment, an official said on Saturday.

Vijayan was scheduled to leave for Mayo Clinic in the USA on Sunday. According to the chief minister’s travel programme, which was confirmed after he returned from the US last month, he along with his wife was to leave on Sunday for the treatment of an undisclosed ailment, and was scheduled to return after 17 days.

WATCH: Air Alliance flights lands at Kochi Naval Base

Following the temporary closure of the Kochi airport, civilian flights began operations from the Kochi naval airstrip on Monday. A 70-seater Air Alliance flight from Bengaluru was first to land at the naval base on Monday.

According to  The Indian Express , civilian flights are landing and taking off from the naval airport after 18 years. It is normally used for planes carrying VVIPs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the latest VVIP to land at the Kochi naval airport on Saturday, when he came to conduct an aerial survey and meet with senior government officials. 

#OpMadad #KeralaFloods2018 #KeralaFloodRelief First flight lands at INS Garuda Kochi Naval Air Station. Air India/ Alliance Air @nsitharaman @CMOKerala @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/908pYy8Lx0

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 20, 2018

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, who ‘predicted’ Kerala disaster in 2011, says Goa is next

Noted ecologist Madhav Gadgil has warned Goa may face the same fate as the flood-battered Kerala if it does not take precautions on the environmental front. Like in some other states, Goa, too, is witnessing activities which are driven by greed for unlimited profits, said Gadgil, who headed a committee that authored a widely debated study on the Western Ghats a few years ago.

“Certainly all sorts of problems are beginning to surface on the environmental front in the Western Ghats. Goa, of course, does not have Western Ghats which are so high as in Kerala, but I am sure Goa will also experience all sorts of problems,” he said, reacting to the worst-ever floods in the southern state. The ecologist said governments have been lax on implementing environmental norms. “The central government is actually bending over backwards to make sure the National Green Tribunal does not function properly.”

Indian-origin billionaires in UAE pledge Rs 125 million for Kerala flood victims, relief operations

Indian-origin billionaire businessmen based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced Rs 125 million in donations for flood relief operations in deluge-hit Kerala, according to a media report.

Kerala-born businessman Yusuff Ali MA, chairman and managing director of Lulu Group, has announced a Rs 50-million donation for rain-battered Kerala, the Khaleej Times reported on Sunday. KP Hussain, chairman of Fathima Healthcare Group, has donated Rs 50 million. He said Rs 10 million of the Rs 50 million will go directly to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, while the rest will be allocated for medical relief aid, the Gulf paper added.

Calicut’s Kakkodi is a story of resilience, survival as locals help each other get back on their feet

They say it takes a village. The saying deems fit for the survival story of Kakkodi panchayat in Calicut. While various parts of central Kerala are still battling the ongoing flood, Calicut has started seeing sunnier days. The water levels are coming down and people are gradually trying to resume their normal lives. With heavy rains and discharge from the Kakkeyam Dam in the last few days, Kakkodi panchayat has witnessed its share of flooding and chaos. But with the help of the local community, the situation was in control before things got out of hand.

“The challenge now is cleaning up the mess,” said Mujeeb, a volunteer at Daya Centre, a charitable trust in Morikkara. Mujeeb was busy sending his boys off to various houses with clean drinking water.

Read full article here

Kerala couple tie knot amid rain horror

Amid horrors of the torrential rains, the wedding of a woman inmate on Sunday brought cheers to a relief camp in northern Malappuram district, where thousands of people have been displaced in flood. Twenty-four-year-old Anju, the bride, has been staying with her family members at a relief camp in a lower primary school there for the last three days after her house was submerged in flood.

Clad in a traditional red silk saree and jewels, Anju stepped out of the relief camp and proceeded to the temple in the morning. 

Though the family had earlier thought to postpone the marriage due to the rain fury, the other inmates of the relief camp persuaded them to go ahead with the ceremony. “Thus, we decided to conduct the wedding at a nearby temple without any celebration. The groom, Shaiju’s family had also no objection,” a relative of the bride said.

Kerala govt plans to assist in rebuilding, repairing of damaged houses

A senior revenue department officer, who did not wish to be identified, said that the government was planning to provide assistance to rebuild and repair the damaged houses under its Life Mission project, which is aimed at providing houses to families without land or homes.

Under the project, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced assistance worth Rs 4 lakh for those who lost their homes and Rs 10 lakh for those who lost both their homes and land. Partially damaged houses have not been taken into account here.

Read full article here

Residents uncertain what to do once out of relief camps

Uncertainly looms large for residents whose houses have been completely destroyed due to the floods in Kerala. Chandra, a tailor living in Vandiperiyar in Idukki district, doesn’t know what he will do once out of the relief camp. “I have been living here for three years. Now I don’t have a home. I’m in a relief camp. I don’t know what will happen once they send us out of the camp. No one should see this da.”

“I lost my home. My wife can’t move as she met with an accident eight years ago and I had to send her to an old age home. I don’t have much earnings,” he added. 

I lost my home. My wife can't move as she met with an accident 8 year ago & I had to send her to old age home. I don't have much earnings. I don't know what will happen once they send us out of the camp. No one should see this day: Chandra, resident of Vandiperiyar #KeralaFloods pic.twitter.com/rLial00uFK

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2018

Uprooted trees in Thrissur

Image courtesy: Mohan Kumar K

Over 75,000 houses damaged in floods

Innumerable houses have collapsed in landslides or been washed away by floodwaters over the past month, when Kerala has been devastated by one of the worst floods in a century. Officials say the number of houses fully damaged may cross 75,000.

Details of partially damaged houses are not available yet. This may be in lakhs, considering the ferocity of the floods and landslides. Officials said they were not in a position to take a detailed account of loss to property as they are fully engaged in rescue operations.

“We are now fully focused on rescue operations. We will be able to ascertain details of loss to property and the scale of rehabilitation only after all those stranded in the flood-hit areas are moved to safety,” a senior revenue department official said.

Read full article here

First flight lands in Kochi Naval Air Base

Alliance Air’s first flight from Bengaluru has just landed at the Kochi Naval Air Base. Its a 70-seater small flight. Two services to and fro Bengaluru and one to Coimbatore will resume from the naval base on Monday.

Assam to give Rs 3cr to Kerala for flood relief

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said his state would give Rs 3 crore aid to rain-ravaged Kerala, where 210 have died in the last 10 days.

“The Government of Assam would extend financial aid of Rs 3 crore to Kerala government in view of the devastating flood in the southern state,” an official release said quoting the chief minister.

Sonowal also directed the state Revenue and Disaster Management Department to open helplines to expedite the process of providing relief and rescuing people of Assam stranded in Kerala, it said.

Citizens clean up shelter before being shifted to relief camp in Ernakulam

People staying at a temporary shelter in Ernakulam decided to clean up the place before they left. People displaced in the devastating Kerala floods were housed in one of the fourth-floor rooms where 1,200 people stayed in the Kongorpily Government Higher Secondary School in the city. “This place was home for me for the last four days. How can I leave it dirty?" said one of the inmates. This picture was taken when the last person was being shifted to a relief camp.

Image courtesy: Gopinath Parayil

Commercial flight operations from Kochi to commence from naval base today

Commercial flights will resume operations from the Kochi naval base from Monday, and all arrangements for logistics for this have been put in place, an official press release from the Centre. Only small commercial flights will begin operations from the naval base. 

The navy has put on hold its routine airmen training to enable commercial operations from its base, said the Kochi Naval Base Commanding Officer. Only flights in the Kochi – Bengaluru sector operations will commence on Monday. 

With inputs from Naveen Nair

Temple donates Rs 1cr to Kerala flood relief fund

Kollur Mookambika temple donates Rs 1 crore to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in Kerala and Rs 25 lakh to Karnataka.

Train services expected to be restored by Monday evening

According to an official press release from the Centre, train services are expected to be restored on all lines by Monday evening. A special train with 14,00,000 litres of water and a navy ship with 8 lakh litres of water will also reach Kerala by Monday.

‘Wish flood had taken my life,’ says survivor 

“I wish the flood had taken my life. I have lost everything I had. My house is damaged. I have no money to repair it. If the government does not help me repair it, I don’t know where I will go,” says Sarojini amma, who is languishing in a relief camp in Alangad near Aluva in Ernakulam district.

The 65-year-old woman was brought to the relief camp after floodwaters from the Periyar river ravaged her single-room house in Karumalloor. Sarojini, a childless widow, sells fish to make a living. She says she doesn’t have anything other than the dress she is wearing left to see her life through.

Read full article here

WATCH: Woman being rescued in Chengannur

​

Locals in Alappuzha district’s Chengannur helped rescue a woman. The woman was sitting on a chair, as three men hoisted it up and waded through shoulder-deep waters. 

#WATCH: A woman being rescued with the help of locals from flood affected Alappuzha district's Chengannur. #KeralaFloods (19.08.2018) pic.twitter.com/kZR6QdIW4q

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2018

IMD predicts relief from rain for flood-battered Kerala

Kerala, battling catastrophic floods for the past 12 days, finally received some good news and a hint of respite on Sunday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said there is no alert for heavy showers for the next four days in the state, and that the intensity of rainfall had decreased over the past two days. According to the weather agency, ‘heavy rainfall’ is expected only in the districts of Kozhikode, Kannur and Idukki.

Main aim is to save lives, says Vijayan

“Our prime concern was to save lives. It appears it has been met,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media amid signs that the most destructive phase of the floods had ended and that water overflowing numerous towns and villages had started to recede.

“It is perhaps one of the worst ever tragedies. Hence the loss caused is so huge. So we will accept all help,” he said, revealing the extent of a tragedy which has not hit the state since 1924.

7.24 lakh people displaced; 370 people dead since monsoon began

As the rain fury finally abated on Sunday, 7,24,649 people remained in 5,645 camps in Kerala following “one of the worst ever floods” that has left about 370 dead and caused unprecedented destruction.

Death toll at 210 in Kerala

The deadly monsoon rains that savaged Kerala claimed 13 more lives on Sunday, taking the toll to 210 in the last ten days as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said most of the marooned had been rescued and the focus would now be on their rehabilitation.