Kerala Flood: Rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts are underway in Kerala after floods
As Kerala struggles to recover from devastating floods, the worst in over a century, experts on Tuesday said that certain warnings and predictions had gone unheeded. People are still in relief camps and struggling to piece their lives back together. Union Minister KJ Alphons spent a night at a relief camp in Changanacherry and had said that most of the people would not have been able to sleep, thinking of an uncertain future. The government’s relief package for Kerala may fall below the requirements and Kerala finance minister Thomas Issac said that foreign relief must not be denied.
Kerala needs skilled workers to rebuild itself, union minister KJ Alphons had reiterated on Tuesday. Help has been coming in from many quarters. People have been returning home after Kerala floods and many are still in relief camps. Over 200 people have died since August 8 and almost a million were forced to leave their homes. The initial assessment of losses is pegged at over Rs 20,000 crore.
Here are the Highlights on the Kerala floods:
Kochi Airport to resume operations on August 29
In view of concern expressed by stakeholders of airlines & ground staff that 90% of their staffers got affected by the flood, the Cochin International Airport Limited or CIAL has decided to extend the date of resuming operations for 3 more days. Operations will start on 29 August, according to news agency ANI.
Gautham, a Class 10 student from Vandiperiyar lost his books & notebooks in the flood, according to news agency ANI. He says,"We returned home from a relief camp after 15 days today&I can't find my books. I don't know how I will continue my studies now." Gautham's father added,"we have lost everything."
Read Here: Thailand Envoy Confirms India's 'No Aid' Stand, Kerala Asks Who Will PayAn ambassador from Thailand today tweeted to say that India has made it clear that it would not accept international aid for flood relief in Kerala - raising concerns of a shortfall during reconstruction in the ravaged state. The Centre should not deny others a chance to help Kerala, since its financial package is far below the amount requested, said state finance minister Thomas Issac.
Read Here: On UAE Aid, Kerala Minister's Reminder: Centre Can't Pay For RebuildingThe Centre's financial package for Kerala may fall far below requirement and it should not deny others a chance to help the flood-hit state. In an interview with NDTV, Kerala finance minister Thomas Issac made the point, discussing the Rs 700-crore aid, which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, has been promised by the United Arab Emirates.
Kerala will ask the centre to raise ceiling on borrowing for the state to 4.5 per cent of the GDP, which is at 3 per cent now. This will help raise an additional Rs. 10,500 crore from the market, Mr Vijayan said. It will also "request NABARD for a special scheme to implement long-term projects for infrastructure development in agriculture, irrigation and associated areas and social sectors", he tweeted.
On UAE Aid, Kerala Minister's Reminder: Centre Can't Pay For RebuildingThe Centre's financial package for Kerala may fall far below requirement and it should not deny others a chance to help the flood-hit state. In an interview with NDTV, Kerala finance minister Thomas Issac made the point, discussing the Rs 700-crore aid, which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, has been promised by the United Arab Emirates."
Kerala flood: Indian Oil has assured full supply of Aviation fuel to Kerala. It said that aviation fuel refueling was happening at war footing and timely supply to forces was being ensured
Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel delivering relief items to 460 families in various areas of Chengannur.
In the wake of tropical cyclones and severe weather events in Kerala and Karnataka coasts, the centre has proposed to set up a Cyclone Warning Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) M Rajeevan said today.
The cyclone centre is expected to come up in another one month, he said.
At present, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cyclone warning centres in Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
Kerala Flood: State Of Dams In India
In the past, CAG reports have highlighted that Of 4,862 large dams, only 349 have emergency disaster action plans. Kerala alone has 60 dams
"We asked for Rs 2000 crore, they (centre) could give us only Rs 600 crore, I don't know why they should deny some other government's help": Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac had said
Relief and rescue ops in process in Venmoney,Chengannur. The Engineer Task Force of 8 Engineer regiment rescued stranded people and distributed water, medicines and food supplies
Tourism minister KJ Alphons has been saying that Kerala needed army of skilled workers that will help the flood-ravaged state rebuild itself. Tuesday night the union minister slept at a relief camp in Changanacherry. "Most people didn't sleep thinking of a uncertain tomorrow", he said.
Political blame-game in Kerala
Kerala Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has lashed out at the government saying that Kerala floods were a man-made disaster and that people were not warned when the dam gates were opened. VD Satheeshan, Congress lawmaker from Ernakulam said those who took the wrong decision of delaying the opening of gates must be prosecuted.
Kerala floods: People offer prayers at Masjid Noor Juma Masjid in Vandiperiyar in Idukki district on the occasion of Eid
The Home Ministry had clarified that Indians staying abroad could send donations to Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund as that will be tax free.
"If foreign aid is coming to non-profits or NGOs which are registered under the Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act (FCRA) then they will not be taxed. But if donations are received by NGOs which are not registered, then it is counted as the income of the NGO and that will be taxed," a senior officer had told NDTV.
Army Aviation Squadron drops off 1500 kilograms of relief material in areas North and South of Kochi, that had been cut-off since the past 3 to 4 days
Border Security Force carrying out operations for rehabilitation in the flood affected suburban regions of Thrissur. Indo-Tibetan Border Police are also lending a hand in relief ops.
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Relief material from various parts of the country being brought to Kochin Port
Ayyappa devotees have been advised by authorities not go to Sabrimala as flood waters in the Pampa river at the foothills have not yet receded.
Swimmer Sajan Prakash has been to hell and back at the Asian Games, competing in Jakarta while family members went missing in Kerala floods.
The 24-year-old became the first swimmer to reach last weekend's 200 metres butterfly final despite the knowledge that five relatives had not been found and his family home in Kerala had been destroyed by floodwater.
Prakash finished outside the medals in fifth, but his prayers were answered after an uncle called to inform him his family members had survived the devastating floods that have killed more than 350 people.
Read storyAn online platform has been launched to help rain-hit victims of Kerala connect with people who are willing to throw open their houses for accommodation.
The website 'EachOneHostOne.com', which was launched by five Chennai entrepreneurs, helps the affected relocate to any safer place which has been offered near them.