Home Minister Rajnath Singh undertakes an aerial survey of flood-hit Kerala today. He is accompanied by Tourism Minister KJ Alphons and senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs. At least 37 people have died in the torrential rain and landslides that have ravaged the southern state since August 8. More than half of the 14 districts in Kerala have been put on high alert because of heavy rains, officials said on Saturday.
Crops on 1,031 hectares (2547.66 acres) have been damaged and 31,000 people have been forced to take shelter in rescue camps, according to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority's (KSDMA) control room in the state capital.
The weather department forecast heavy rains until August 15, Independence Day, also warning of flooding in low-lying coastal areas. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Arabian Sea.
Here are the LIVE updates of Kerala floods:
I understand the suffering of the people of Kerala due to this unprecedented crisis. Since assessment of damages will take some time, I hereby announce immediate relief of additional Rs 100 crores: HM Shri @rajnathsingh
- HMO India (@HMOIndia) August 12, 2018
HM has reached Kochi in Kerala. He is on a day long visit to the state to review the flood situation. pic.twitter.com/a5YJePGQtD
- HMO India (@HMOIndia) August 12, 2018
