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An immediate financial assistance of Rs. 500 crore has been announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to the rain-battered Kerala, after reviewing the flood condition in the state.
Modi likewise proclaimed an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh per person to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to those earnestly injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), a Prime Minister's Office (PMO) statement said.
"The prime minister announced a financial assistance of Rs. 500 crore to the state. This is in addition to Rs. 100 crore announced by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on August 12," it said.
PM announced a financial assistance of Rs 500 crore to Kerala. This is in addition to Rs. 100 crore announced by the Home Minister on 12.08.2018.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 18, 2018
He also assured the State Government that relief materials including foodgrains, medicines etc would be provided, as requested.
PM @narendramodi expressed grief and sorrow on the unfortunate deaths and damage caused to property due to floods in Kerala.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 18, 2018
PM announced ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh per person to the next kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to those seriously injured from PMNRF.
The prime minister made an aerial assessment of the damage caused due to floods in some of the affected areas of the southern state, after a high-level review meeting in Kochi. During an aerial survey in the worst-hit Aluva-Thrissur regions, he was accompanied by Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister K J Alphons and officials.
PM Modi, expressing heartbreak over the damage and unfortunate deaths observed that rescue operations of people who are still stranded remain the topmost priority. Vijayan later tweeted that the prime minister has sanctioned Rs. 500 crore as immediate relief.
"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," he said.
Modi, who reached the state capital last night, proceeded to Kochi in the morning and reviewed the flood situation during a meeting with Vijayan and the state government officials.
The relief materials, including food grains and medicines, will be supplied, as requested, Modi assured the Kerala government.
PM Modi as well directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to fix the main national highways damaged due to the floods on a priority basis.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin homes, on a priority basis, would be rendered to small town citizenry, whose 'kutcha' houses have been destroyed in the devastating floods. Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, 5.5 crore person days have been sanctioned in the labor budget 2018-19.
The PMO statement further added that prime minister as well complimented the state government for the endeavors made in meeting the challenges of the unprecedented situation.
Since morning, rains lashing several parts of the state is causing concern as it could hamper the relief and rescue operations. According to the control room of the State Disaster Management, since August 8, 194 persons have lost their lives up to now and 36 are missing. More than 3.14 lakh people have been moved to relief camps.
To contribute, to request for help or to volunteer https://keralarescue.in/
Helpline numbers have been released by the chief minister's office
Alert: People in the low lying areas along Chalakudy river and its tributaries are requested to move to higher locations as a precautionary measure. All stranded people are being attended by the forces in maximum capacity. #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/6QWiTj2Guc
— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 16, 2018
World Vision India https://www.worldvision.in has dedicated its website for accepting help for the people affected by the Kerala floods.
By Sowmya Sangam