People in Kerala are facing an uphill task to rebuild their lives as flood waters that have killed hundreds of people and displaced lakhs start to recede. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met people at relief camps in flood-affected areas. The flood-hit state has asked the centre to go by the 2016 National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) while considering a Rs 700 crore offer made by the UAE government for the Kerala floods - said to be the worst in nearly a century. The National Disaster Management Plan, that was brought by the Centre in May 2016, states that any voluntary offer of assistance from other countries can be accepted.
India will not take help from foreign governments that are pledging financial assistance to the southern state, the foreign ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday. "In line with existing policy, the government of India is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts," the foreign ministry said. "Contributions to PM relief fund and CM relief fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would be welcome," it said.
Here are the Highlights on relief work in flood-hit Kerala:
For Kerala, Now Pakistan PM Imran Khan Offers Humanitarian AssistancePakistan's new prime minister Imran Khan has offered to provide "any humanitarian assistance that may be needed" for Kerala, that has been devastated by floods"
Kerala Floods: "Our Only Hope Was God": Kerala Couple Rode With Baby On Canoe For 5 KmKerala Floods: Minha's parents thanked God for sending unexpected help after they decided to leave their flooded home in Kerala with their seven-month-old girl amid a menacing sea of water.
Kerala Flood: Minister KJ Alphons To Request Centre To Change Policy On Foreign AidWith the centre refusing any financial help from nations for flood-ravaged Kerala, Tourism Minister KJ Alphons today said he will appeal to the government for a change in policy on foreign aid that they "inherited" from the previous government of Manmohan Singh.
"This should be seen as a follow up to statements that have come from Sangh Parivar agencies asking people not to contribute to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund," he told the media.
Taking off on a helicopter from the state capital along with a cabinet colleague and senior officials, Mr Vijayan first touched down at Chengannur and visited a relief camp. From there he went to camps in Pathanamthitta district and Alappuzha.
He flew later to Paravur in Ernakulam district and rounded off his visit at Chalakkudy in Thrissur district, the IANS report said.
Spending about 15 minutes in each camp, the chief minister briefly heard the woes of the people and assured them that they need not worry about anything as the government would come to their help.
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 VS Vijayan, a former chairman of the State Biodiversity Board.
"Climate change is a reality and heavy rainfall leading to floods witnessed in Kerala and droughts would occur in future also," Mr Vijayan, also a member of the committee, told PTI.
"Ill-Timed," Kerala Minister Apologises For Germany Trip During FloodsKerala Floods: Kerala's forest minister K Raju on Thursday issued an apology for taking a trip to Germany while the state reeled under heavy floods.
Amid Row Over Foreign Help For Flood-Hit Kerala, 2 Ex-Diplomats Shivshankar Menon, Nirupama Rao Offer SolutionAfter the government's firm no to accepting financial help from other nations for flood-hit Kerala, where the focus is now on costly relief and rebuilding efforts, two former diplomats have offered a way out."
Kerala Floods: Minister Alphons Kannanthanam's All-Nighter At Kerala Relief Camp Becomes Troll BaitUnion minister Alphons Kannanthanam spent Tuesday night at a relief camp in flood-battered Kerala - where lakhs have been forced to leave their inundated homes - and tweeted about it. He ended up being trolled for the well-intentioned gesture."
The donations will be received till August 29th 2018 and will be sent to Kerala through Silchar-Trivandrum Express which will reach Kerala by September 2nd 2018. I thank Dr. Arun T and his team for their support to Kerala through such great initiative. 2/2
- KummanamRajasekharan (@Kummanam) August 23, 2018
Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri @manoharparrikar has sanctioned Rs. 5 crores as Goa Govt's contribution towards Kerala CM's relief fund for Kerala flood relief operations. Goa stands in solidarity with the people of Kerala. pic.twitter.com/StYcn7353H
- CMO Goa (@goacm) August 23, 2018
- BJP KERALAM (@BJP4Keralam) August 22, 2018
Thank you Mr Vinod Tiwari for helping so much for Kerala and Coorg 🙏🏻🙏🏻💥. He waived off the cost of our 150 kgs extra luggage on the flight.
- Sushant Singh Rajput (@itsSSR) August 23, 2018
We are highly obliged. pic.twitter.com/DPpO6aJiR7
#9Wupdate Cochin International Airport is expected to resume operations on 29 Aug. We have waived off penalties for change in date/flight, refund, no - show, difference in fare if any for all confirmed tickets to & from Kochi till 29th Aug.
- Jet Airways (@jetairways) August 23, 2018
#DoForKerala pic.twitter.com/WZiLKURNhR
- Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) August 23, 2018
#Update #KeralaFloods2018 The mother of the 45 day old baby was all in tears when men in uniform arrived at their doorstep. She was quick to handover the child to #IndianArmy personnel from 19 Madras Regiment trusting them with her child more than herself.We are at it. #OpMadad pic.twitter.com/K6LRy74Arw
- ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 23, 2018
