Requirements listed by CMO Kerala:
Social Welfare Department has an urgent requirement of approximately 5000 pieces of wheelchairs, crutches and hearing aids each to support its efforts across Kerala.
Kudumbasreeneedsover 40,000 volunteers, 20,000 pairs of Gumboots and 22,000 pairs of Gloves for its efforts in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur and Wayanad districts.
LLatest government data has shown that thedeath toll in Kerala floods has touched 265 since August 8 while 36 people are still missing,even as the state prepares to mount a massive rehabilitation process for the displaced, PTIhas reported.
TThe hilly district of Idukki has been hit the hardest with 51 deaths and 10 still missing, followed byThrissurwhich has reported 43 deaths, Ernakulam (38), Alapuzha (34) and Malappuram (30).
Updates on restoration works: 1,31,683 houses have been cleaned, which amounts to 31 percent of the total flood-hit houses. Electricity has been restored for 23.36 lakh connections of the total 25.6 lakh disrupted. Out of the 16158 transformers affected, 14,314 are now functioning, tweets CMO Kerala.
Indian Air Force contributes Rs 20 crore to Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) for Kerala floods. Air Marshal B. Suresh, Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Air Command handed over the cheque to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Emirates to fly 175 tonnes of relief material for flood-ravaged Kerala
UAE's national carrier Emirates has said it will fly over 175 tonnes of relief material to Kerala, which is facing the deadliest deluge in nearly 100 years. Unprecedented floods due to incessant rain have created havoc in the state causing immeasurable misery and devastation. As per the official records, since August 8, over 231 people have died and more than 10 lakh have been displaced.
Gates Foundation to send $6,00,000 aid for relief ops in Kerala
An amount of $6,00,000 will be sent to UNICEF to strengthen relief and rehabilitation efforts in Kerala which witnessed its worst deluge in nearly a century, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has said. The emergency grant aims to bolster government efforts and initiatives by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the enormous task of assisting displaced, flood-affected people and helping them rebuild their lives, the foundation said in a statement. UNICEF, along with NGOs, is currently working in tandem with district administrations to spearhead relief efforts.
Kerala floods: Union Health Min approves
grantof over 18 croreThe Union Health Ministry has approved a grant of over Rs 18 crore under the National Health Mission (NHM) for disbursing to village health, sanitation and nutrition committees in flood-ravaged Kerala. The ministry had earlier said it is extending all support to the relief measures in the flood-battered state, where 3,757 medical relief camps have been set up.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
: Rs10,000 will be transferred to the bank accounts of people who will leave relief camps and also to the people who have already left. (ANI)
SC orders to maintain
water level at 139 ft at Mullaperiyar dam
As a blame-game erupted between Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the devastating floods, the Supreme Court today directed the panel on the Mullaperiyar Dam to ensure that the water level at the reservoir is maintained at 139.99 feet till August 31.
The Mullaperiyar Dam, built in 1895 on Periyar River in Idukki District of Kerala, came under the spotlight with the Kerala government accusing Tamil Nadu, which maintains the reservoir, of sudden release of water leading to unprecedented deluge in the state. (PTI)
Railway recruitment test for Kerala candidates to be held on Sept 4
The railways' computer-based exams which were postponed in Kerala in the wake of the devastating floods have been rescheduled for September 4, a senior official said today.
Around 30,000 candidates who had been unable to appear in the exam will now be able to do so, the railways has said.
TN rejects Kerala contention that Mullaperiyar dam water release caused floods
The Tamil Nadu government today rejected Kerala's contention that sudden water released by Tamil Nadu from the Mullaperiyar dam was one of the reasons for the deluge in the neighbouring state.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said Kerala suffered the deluge due to the discharge of excess water from 80 reservoirs spurred by heavy rains in that state. (PTI)
India Cements distributes relief assistance in Kerala
India Cements Ltd today said its team is covering 12 districts across flood-hit Kerala to take up relief and rehabilitation measures in the state. (PTI)
READ | UAE never officially announced aid for Rs 700-cr Kerala flood relief: Ambassador
Amid the debate on whether to accept or not financial aid pouring in from foreign governments for relief in flood-ravaged Kerala, UAE Ambassador Ahmed Albanna told The Indian Express that the Gulf nation has not made any official announcement so far on the specific amount.
Fishermen Warning for Kerala coast and Lakshadweep area
(For next 24 hours valid from 1400 Hours IST of 24th August 2018)
Strong winds from Northwesterly direction speed occasionally reaching 30-40 kmph gusting to 55 kmph likely along and off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep area. Sea condition is likely to be rough to very rough over Southwest and central Arabian Sea.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea over Southwest and central Arabian Sea.
SC orders to maintain water level of Mullaperiyar dam at 139 ft
The Supreme Court today ordered that the water level at the Mullaperiyar dam be maintained at 139 feet till August 31 keeping in mind the grave devastation that has taken place due to the unprecedented floods in Kerala.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the Centre's submission that the sub-committee of the Mullaperiyar dam had met on August 23 and directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that the water level is maintained at 139 feet, which is two feet below the permissible limit fixed by the apex court. (PTI)
Kerala limping back to normalcy, focus on rehabilitation
With Kerala limping back to normalcy after floods and landslides, the focus is now on taking care of the over 10.40 lakh people staying in relief camps and rehabilitating people whose houses were destroyed in the deluge.
People from all over the country and abroad have pitched in to help the state by offering material and also cash donations to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF).
A total of Rs 539 crore has been received till last night, official sources said.
India 'may' accept foreign donations: NDMA document
As the row over foreign aid for flood-ravaged Kerala escalated, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had in 2016 suggested assistance offered as a goodwill gesture "may" be accepted by India, bolstering the stand taken by Chief Minister Pinarayi there is no blanket ban.
With the Centre drawing flak from the opposition parties and others for invoking a policy decision taken by the Manmohan Singh government in 2004 in the aftermath of the Tsunami for not accepting foreign aid, Union minister K J Alphons yesterday appealed for an "one time exception" to the 14-year convention to allow overseas assistance, notably from the United Arab Emirates(UAE). (PTI)
Fees waived for reissue of passport
The centre has waived fees for reissue of passport for people of Kerala who lost the vital travel document in the floods.
Under the initiative, the procedure for reissue of passports in lieu of lost or damaged will be relaxed, a release from the Regional Passport office here said today.
Amid aid row, Kerala govt focuses on cleaning, rehabilitation
With rescue operations in rain-ravaged Kerala nearly over, the focus is now on a massive clean-up drive, even as the row over accepting foreign aid for relief work saw the Congress and Left attacking the Centre.
More than 50,000 volunteers have taken up the task of cleaning houses and public places filled with mud deposits and debris dumped by the floodwaters in the rain fury. (PTI)
KARNATAKA | Defence minister to visit flood-hit Kodagu
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will visit the flood and landslide-ravaged Kodagu district today. Kodagu is in Karnataka and borders Kerala, where rescue and relief operations are underway in full swing.
The torrential rains that lashed the district last week has left a huge trail of destruction and claimed at least 17 lives. More than 5,000 people have been rendered homeless. (PTI)
Lower water level of Mullaperiyar dam, panel on disaster management tells TN
In the wake of Kerala floods, a disaster management sub-committee to monitor the water level of Mullaperiyar Dam today asked Tamil Nadu to keep water limit of the reservoir 2-3 feet below the 142-feet FRL mark till August 31, a senior official in the Water Resources Ministry said. (PTI)
Centre to give more funds to Kerala; Rs 600 cr only advance assistance
The Centre today said Rs 600 crore released two days ago to flood-hit Kerala was only the advance assistance and additional funds would be released when an inter-ministerial team visits the state again and assesses the damage.
The Home Ministry statement came amidst a row over accepting funds from foreign governments for Kerala after the United Arab Emirates offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore) and the government declared that it will not take any financial assistance from foreign governments in sync with an existing policy.
JUST IN:
Kerala Government filed a case in the Supreme Court today against TamilNadufor ignoring its request to control water flow during the floods
Kerala candidates who missed August 16 RBI exam to get another chance
Applicants from Kerala who could not appear for the RBI's Grade B officers exam on August 16 due to floods in the state will be able to take it on September 2.
"The RBI Services Board will conduct the Phase I / Paper-1 of examination for recruitment of Grade B officers on September 2, 2018, at various centres in Kerala for the benefit of aspirants who could not appear for it on August 16, 2018," RBI said in a notification issued today. Those who have already appeared for the August 16 exam will however not be allowed to take it again, RBI said. (PTI)
Saibaba temple trust to donate Rs 5 crore to flood-hit Kerala
Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra today decided to contribute Rs five crore towards the relief work in flood-hit Kerala.
Kerala candidates who missed Aug 16 RBI exam to get another chance
Applicants from Kerala who could not appear for the RBI's Grade B officers exam on August 16 due to floods in the state will be able to take it on September 2.
"The RBI Services Board will conduct the Phase I / Paper-1 of examination for recruitment of Grade B officers on September 2, 2018, at various centres in Kerala for the benefit of aspirants who could not appear for it on August 16, 2018," RBI said in a notification issued today.
READ | Car inventory worth Rs 1,000 crore sinks across dealerships
Destruction in Kerala would have been limited if Gadgil report implemented
The miseries and destruction caused by the rains and floods in Kerala would have been less severe if the government had taken the initiative to implement the recommendations made in the Gadgil Committee report on preservation of the Western Ghats, a noted environmentalist has said.
Ecologist Madhav Gadgil's report had suggested checks on quarrying, discouraging cultivation of yearly crops on hill slopes and planting fruit-bearing tress there and restriction on construction in the area, according to Prof V S Vijayan, a former chairman of the State Biodiversity Board.
Kerala CM visits relief camps, hears to woes of those affected
With 13 lakh people put up in relief camps after the devastating floods that ravaged Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today spent time with many of them, hearing to their problems and assured all help.
Vijayan took the helicopter to visit the relief camps in Chengannur, Kozhencherry, Alappuzha, North Paravoor and Chalakudy, covering three districts. (PTI)
Landslips, rains did not impact wildlife in Kerala
Landslips and heavy rains unleashed in Kerala forests causing flooding in downstream did not have any major impact on its precious wildlife including elephants, tigers and leopards, a top state forest official said today.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P K Kesavan said generally animals have got a "strong sixth sense" and they become "alert" at the time of any unusual changes in the nature helping them escape to safety at the time of its fury.
Former Arunachal CM donates 1 month's salary for Kerala relief
Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has decided to donate his one month's salary towards the relief work in flood-hit Kerala.
Tuki, who is the present MLA of Sagalee, shot off a letter to the secretary of the state Assembly yesterday to remit his August salary to the account of Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. (PTI)
India U16 team dedicates win over Cameroon to Kerala flood victims
The India U16 football team today dedicated its 2-1 win over Cameroon to the victims of the devastating Kerala floods.
Sitting miles away and competing with more acclaimed nations boasting of strong youth development programmes, the India U16 team was not willing to soak in the euphoria.
EU announces Euro 1.9 lakh to Indian Red Cross Society for Kerala flood relief
The European Union today announced an assistance of Euro 190,000 (Rs 1.53 crore) in aid funding to the Indian Red Cross Society for providing immediate relief to flood-affected people in Kerala.
The announcement was made by the office of the grouping, comprising 28 European countries.
Huge demand of clothes in shelters
Nearly 13 lakh people are currently taking shelter at the relief camps in the state. Among them, many women have no clothes to wear. "I left home in a hurry with my family. Since the last five days I am wearing the same clothes. Please give us something clean to wear," said a woman, voicing the demand of thousands' of women.
Comfort clothes like nighties and lungies are most sought after in relief camps, according to authorities. (PTI)
Govt has inherited 14-yr policy of refusing foreign aid: Alphons
In refusing foreign aid for the rehabilitation of flood-hit Kerala, the Centre has followed a 14-year convention it "inherited" from previous governments of refusing such assistance in the face of natural calamities, Union minister Alphons Kannanthanam said today.
The government is under fire for refusing aid for Kerala from countries like the UAE and Thailand. Alphons said this was a policy that was followed by the current government since former prime minister Manmohan Singh had refused aid from foreign countries in 2004 during the devastating Tsunami.
Kerala struggles with mud as people rush back home
There has been no rain in the past three days, however, flood water is yet to recede from many places. The situation is particularly critical in Kuttanad, which is one of the few places in the world where paddy farming is done 1.2 metre to 3 metre below sea level.
Flood waters receding is not the panacea for all ills. As waters subsided in Cheruthoni in Idukki district, many were shocked to see huge deposits of sand and slush inside and outside their homes.
Delhi HC judges to contribute for Kerala floods rehabilitation
Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and other judges of the Delhi High Court have decided to contribute for the rehabilitation of the people of Kerala hit by the devastating floods.
Besides the judges, the the Registry of the High Court would also contribute to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), Kerala.
READ |
Some dos and don'ts for safety while returning to flood-hit homes
Clean-up operations gather steam in flood-hit Kerala
With flood waters receding from most of the places, the Kerala government has taken up the massive task of cleaning houses and public places filled with slush left behind by the massive deluge which caused large-scale destruction.
The government has set up a control room here to coordinate the cleaning process across the state and the civic bodies have been entrusted with the task of managing the work, official sources said today. (PTI)
READ | Tyre companies may face short-term impact on rubber shortage
4-yr-old donates piggy bank savings to Kerala relief fund
A four-year-old girl from South Kolkata today donated her piggy bank savings to the Kerala relief fund set up by the CPI(M).
Aparajita Saha, a resident of Jadavpur, had saved around Rs 14,800 from the gifts she had received during her birthday to buy a CD player to rehearse for her dance classes. (PTI)
Men’s cricket team planning to donate match fees for Kerala flood victims
In a novel gesture, the Indian cricket team in all likelihood will donate their entire match fees earned for the Third Test for the Kerala flood victims. While the amount is yet to be ascertained, it could be in the region of Rs 2 crore or more.
India not to accept assistance from foreign govts for Kerala flood relief
India made it clear that it will not accept any assistance from foreign governments for flood-ravaged Kerala in sync with an existing policy.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the government was committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation in Kerala through domestic efforts.
A number of countries have announced assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. While the United Arab Emirates has offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore), Qatar has pledged around Rs 35 crore and Maldives has announced a donation of USD 50,000 (Rs 35 lakh). (PTI)
Alphons sleeps in Kerala relief camp, trolled for posting picture
Union minister Alphons Kannanthanam, who has been regularly sharing details about the devastating floods in Kerala on social media, today became a butt of jokes after posting pictures of himself sleeping at a relief camp in the southern state.(PTI)
Podcast | How to go about insurance claims after floods
Kerala GDP growth could fall by 1% due to floods: Report
According to a report by Care Ratings, the rain-battered state's GDP is expected to fall to 6.5-7 per cent from the budgeted 7.6 per cent this fiscal year.
Though industry contributes only 26 per cent of the state GDP, as 66 per cent come from services. Out of which, only tourism and hospitality contribute 40 per cent of the state's GDP.
Kerala CM says warning issued before opening Mullaperiyar Dam
"On July 30 water levels were below orange alert. Till August 7, water was receding.On August 8, heavy rain started and water levels began to increase. On August 15, the Mullaperiyar Dam was opened. Nobody could've foreseen this but still warnings were given and evacuations were done," saysPinarayiVijayan.
Kerala govt to organize farewell for defence forces
Kerala CMPinarayiVijayan says the government has decided to organize a farewell on August 26 to express itsgratitude tothe defence personnel who helped in relief and rescue operations in the state.
Kerala Health Secy says rescue operations complete
Kerala Health Secretary briefed the media saying rescue efforts have been completed, and that all citizens have been moved to safety. In the recently concluded review meeting with chied ministry Pinarayi Vijayan, it was decided that the assistance of the World Health Organization (WHO) is no longer necessary. However, he conceded that there was a threat of water-borne disease even after flood water recedes.
