Following unprecedented rainfall recorded in Kerala over the past few weeks, the death toll in the state due to rain related calamities has risen to 37.
As many as 1,01,213 people have lost their homes due to floods and landslides in different parts of the state and are currently being housed at relief camps. Close to 1,023 camps have been opened in the flood hit districts of Kochi, Palakkad, Malappuram, Idukki etc where 13,857 families have been housed. The rains have also destroyed 243 houses completely, and partially ruined 4,392 houses in the state, according to the damage assessment that was done.
Material losses due to rains
As per the preliminary assessment, the rains have caused an approximate material loss of Rs 8,315 crore, said CM Pinarayi Vijayan in a memorandum submitted to the centre.
The memorandum requested the centre to released funds to the tune of Rs 1,220 crore from the National Disaster Relief Fund as immediate relief.
According to reports, this is the first time that the state has witnessed floods like this since 1924. Ten out of the 14 districts were affected and shutters of 27 dams were opened to release water due to reservoirs that were fast filling up due to the rains.
A total of 186 people have died in the south west monsoon which wrecked havoc on the state twice this season.
On Sunday Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with tourism minister KJ Alphons undertook an aerial survey of the flood hit parts of Idukki district where the Cheruthoni dam shutters had been opened to release water.
During a telephonic conversation between CM Pinarayi and Rajnath Singh earlier on, the Home Minister offered all possible help to Kerala for the flood relief operations.
On Saturday, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and chief secretary Tom Jose had undertaken an aerial survey in the flood hit parts of Idukki.
NDRF personnel and several columns of army, navy, coast guard and helicopters from the air force have been deployed to undertake relief and rescue operations in the state.