Kerala Flood: The state is reeling under the impact of devastating floods that have killed over 300.
Kerala is reeling under the aftermath of devastating floods, the worst in over a century. Amid row over offers and acceptance of foreign donations, people are struggling to begin their lives afresh after Kerala floods. Various foreign and Indian organizations have contributed to Kerala flood relief. Apple and Bill & Melinda Gates' foundation have also announced contributions to for Kerala relief efforts. Local heroes-people who selflessly came to the aid of others-have emerged amid all the grief and destruction. The government is considering interest-free loans for families whose homes have been destroyed by the floods in the state. 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 in Kerala have created havoc. As per the official records, since August 8, over 231 people have died and more than 10 lakh have been displaced. They will also ask the centre to raise the state's borrowing ceiling to 4.5 per cent of its GDP from 3 per cent, which will help raise an additional Rs. 1,000 crore from the market for Kerala flood relief.
Here are the live updates on Kerala floods:
Top Court Judge To Sing At Kerala Relief Event
On Monday, Justice KM Joseph would sing at a function organised to help the flood-affected people.
Chief Justice of India Justice Dipak Misra will be the chief guest at the function, where Justice Joseph would sing two songs -- one each in Malayalam and Hindi.
The function has been organied by journalists covering the Supreme Court.
Onam brings cheer in relief campsSurvivors of Kerala's worst floods in a century on Saturday set aside their misery, even if only temporarily, to celebrate Onam in numerous relief camps across the state, relishing the traditional Onam ''sadya'' or lunch.
The second day of the harvest festival, called Thiru Onam, fell on Saturday.
Camp officers ensured the availability of vegetables and other commodities after men and women in the camps insisted they would cook the ''sadya'' themselves instead of accepting what was being offered by NGOs and clubs.
At least 30 per cent of the affected houses have been cleaned, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. ""Over one lakh 1,31,683 houses have been cleaned, which is 31% of the total flood-hit houses. Electricity has been restored for 23.36 lakh connections of the 25.6 lakh disrupted.14,314 transformers (out of 16158 affected) are now functioning,"his official handle tweeted.
Requirements listed by CMO Kerala
Kudumbasree is looking for over 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.
Social Welfare Department has an urgent requirement of approximately 5000 pieces of wheelchairs, crutches and hearing aids each to support its efforts across Kerala. We request potential agencies/contributors to contact the Social Welfare Dept.
The Jet Airways airlifted 1,649kgs of relief material to be sent to Kerala today
Students of Navy Children School Port Blair, along with locals and defence personnel load relief material on Indian Air Force AN-32 on Friday. The aircraft flew to Trivandrum from where material was distributed
Updates on restoration works: 1,31,683 houses have been cleaned, which is 31% of the total flood-hit houses. Electricity has been restored for 23.36 lakh connections of the 25.6 lakh disrupted.14,314 transformers (out of 16158 affected) are now functioning: CMO Kerala
The Indian Air Force has made a contribution of Rs 20 crore to Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund
MK Stalin's Onam message
I extend my heartfelt Onam greetings to one and all. In the true spirit of the festival, let us pledge to celebrate by aiding rehabilitation of Kerala which has been ravaged by unprecedented rains and helping those who have been displaced
Presently, the district collectors have the authority to withdraw the SDMA share, which is ₹3800. A total of ₹242.73 Cr has been granted from CMDRF for disbursing the remaining amount: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
In Chengannur, people celebrate Onam amid the devastation caused by floods.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the reported aid of Rs. 700 crore from the UAE for Kerala was intimated to the world by the leaders of the two countries.The Kerala unit of the BJP had asked Mr Vijayan to reveal his source. Mr Vijayan told media that the offer of the aid was made by the ruler of the Emirates to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Good wishes to fellow citizens, particularly to our brothers and sisters in Kerala, on Onam. May this festival mark a new beginning for all those in Kerala recovering in the aftermath of the floods, and gradually beginning to rebuild their lives: President Ram Nath Kovind
Kerala floods: Stories of loss and devastation
Our thoughts are with the brave people of Kerala during this Onam festival. Please donate liberally for Kerala in keeping with the spirit of Onam: Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter
Bill Gates' foundation to also donate to Kerala
The Bill Gates' foundation will give $6,00,000 to UNICEF, to strengthen relief and rehabilitation efforts in Kerala. In an official statement, the foundation said that the grant aimed 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"
PM Modi's Onam message to the people of Kerala
With no certainty of accepting any aid that might be offered by other countries, including the UAE, the central government is under severe pressure to chalk out a plan to rebuild the flood-ravaged Kerala. With the decision needed at the earliest, officials are working overtime to assess the situation and begin assisting the state.
So far the centre has decided on providing Rs. 600 crore immediate aid. This is Rs. 100 crore lesser than the 700 crores the chief minister claims is being offered by UAE. State authorities have estimated the damage to be worth more than $3 billion (approximately Rs.21,000 crore).
Onam brings hope for people in relief camps
In Alappuzha, women gather together for a traditional dance, Small gestures are bringing together people in relief camps. Most of them don't have homes to go back to. People have made Pookalam (rangoli) with salt and colors.
Spirit Of Onam Stays Afloat As Kerala Struggles To Stand Up After FloodsHouses decked up, colourful flower rangoli or Pookalam outside homes and people dressed in the traditional white attire. While this would be the start to a typical Onam day, this year, people across Kerala picked up what's left of theirs and try to get back on their feet after the state witnessed once-a-century flood causing wreckage leading to losses of some 20,000 Crores killing over 300 people."
Apple announces donation for Kerala
Global tech giant Apple has become the latest to Kerala relief effort."We're heartbroken by the catastrophic flooding in Kerala. Apple is donating Rs 7 crore to support the life-saving work Mercy Corps India and the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund are undertaking to support survivors, help those who have been displaced and rebuild homes and schools," the Cupertino-based iPhone maker said in a statement.
US ambassador to India Ken Juster wished people on the occasion of Onam. "Our thoughts are with those affected by the Kerala floods", he wrote on Twitter
In Kerala, all 35 of the state's major reservoirs were brimming with rain water by August 10, forcing local authorities to open the sluice gates on the Idukki Dam for the first time in 26 years.
"These floods that we are seeing in Kerala right now are basically in line with climate projections," said Kira Vinke, a scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.
Kerala flood; Once-a-century rains that have pounded Kerala and displaced 1.3 million people are in line with the predictions of climate scientists, who warn that worse is to come if global warming continues unabated.
Read story here
Rebuilding lives in Kerala is a huge challenge. Mahesh, a 42-year old driver in Thrissur has lost his house. Another couple in late their 60s have suffered a loss of Rs 3 lakh.
Sanuja, 23, daughter of daily wage workers was to be married but the devastating floods in Kerala have left her parents without any savings. Their house has also collapsed
This Sunday, tune in at 3 pm for a special 6-hour telethon to raise funds to help rebuild Kerala.
Please help - Kerala needs you after being destroyed by the worst floods in over a century.
6 hours of a special broadcast = India for Kerala.
Call 011-41577789 now to donate
Emirates' SkyCargo will carry flood relief cargo of over 175 tons to Thiruvananthapuram in more than a dozen flights. It will transport the relief goods donated by various UAE-based businesses and organisations, including lifesaving boats, blankets and dry food items
Kerala floods: Hospitals are readying anti-venom and flood victims returning home in Kerala have been told to stay alert as receding waters leave behind a glut of snakes.
Reports warned that snakes may be "hiding in cupboards" or under carpets, among clothes or inside washing machines in homes previously submerged by floods that have devastated parts of the state.
Read Here
Mr Isaac also gave out a link to register for an initiative called Operation Rehabilitation Alleppey. We promise you a lot of hardwork, and also some moments to cherish for the rest of your life. Just click on this and register
http://volunteer.canalpy.com/, he wrote
Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac took to Twitter to wish people on Onam. Happy Onam. Camps are celebrating Onam in high spirits: sumptuous feasts, games for children, cultural performances and merriment. Great! We have succeeded in totally transforming the usually morose airs of the camps, he tweeted.
CRPF personnel are helping restore the supply of drinking water in Kerala after supply lines were damaged by floods
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. The airline said over a dozen flights will transport the relief goods, which have been donated by various UAE-based businesses and organisations, to Thiruvananthapuram - the nearest online Emirates station to the areas most affected by the flood.
Read: Kerala's long road to recovery.