Kerala floods : PM Modi promises all out assistance, massive rescue operation goes on

The PM, who conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected of Kerala,said the Centre is providing all possible help, including financial assistance and  social security schemes for the people of flood-ravaged Kerala.

Expressing  grief and sorrow over  the  deaths and damage caused to property due to floods in Kerala, the 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.

Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi to declare Kerala flood as national disaster

In a series of tweets, Modi expressed his concern for the situation and gave updates on the measures taken to tackle it.

"Centre is providing all possible assistance to Kerala. This includes financial assistance, providing food grains and medicines. We have asked the NHAI, NTPC, PGCIL to render all possible assistance and cater to basic infrastructure needs in the wake of the floods," he said.

"The Central Government is ensuring that the benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, MGNREGA, various social security schemes, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture reach those affected on a priority basis in Kerala,"

The PMO said  the Centre is providing "comprehensive assistance to the people of Kerala, which will contribute in restoring normalcy to citizens' lives faster."
It said the 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.

"Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard are also deployed for assisting the State in search & rescue operations. A total of 38 helicopters have been deployed for rescue and relief measures. In addition, 20 Aircraft are also being used for ferrying resources."

According to the PMO, the affected farmers in Kerala would be provided assistance under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture for replantation of damaged horticultural crops.

I said the P0M has directed NHAI to repair main national highways damaged due to floods on priority. The Central Public Sector like NTPC and PGCIL have also been directed to be available to render all possible assistance to the State Government in restoring power lines.

"PM has directed Insurance Companies to hold special camps for assessment and timely release of compensation to the affected families/beneficiaries under Social Security Schemes. Directions have been issued for early clearance of claims under Fasal Bima Yojna to agriculturists," the PMO tweeted.

Villagers, whose houses have been destroyed in the devastating floods, would be provided Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin houses on priority irrespective of their priority in the Permanent Wait List of PMAY-G.

Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi urged the PM to declare Kerala floods a national disaster.

"Dear PM, Please declare #Kerala floods a National Disaster without any delay. The lives, livelihood and future of millions of our people is at stake," he tweeted.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor called for more relief and more resources and manpower to be engaged in the operation.

"I trust that @PMOIndia will urgently deploy more army, navy , airforce & NDRF to Kerala. Rescue is the priority. @indiannavy helicopters are doing a great job. For many, today is the last chance to be saved alive. Relief assistance is coming but that's for those already rescued," he said in a tweet.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the financial assistance announced by the PM was "grossly insufficient" compared to the colossal loss the state has suffered.

"Kerala has suffered a loss of nearly ₹ 20,000 cr in these floods. The state had sought an *immediate* assistance of ₹ 2000 cr from the Centre. What Modi has given is grossly insufficient for urgent rescue, relief and rehabilitation work," he tweeted.