Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan Pinarayi today visited flood-hit districts as heavy rain killed 37 people across the state. He announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh compensation for people who lost their land and Rs 4 lakh for families of those killed. Kerala has been hit by heavy rain and landslides since Wednesday and the situation came to a head after the shutters of one of the dams of the Idukki reservoir had to be opened to control the rising water level which came dangerously close to full-capacity. The shutters of Cheruthoni dam in the reservoir were opened for the first time in 26 years, on Thursday following which a fourth red alert was issued for the Idukki reservoir.
More than 15,600 people have been evacuated from the flood-affected areas and around 500 relief camps have been set up across the state. The army, navy, air force, coast guard, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been carrying out evacuation and relief operations across flood-hit districts. According to Union Minister KJ Alphons, Kerala is experiencing the heaviest rainfall in 50 years.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and offered all possible assistance to those affected.
"Spoke to Kerala CM Shri Pinrayi Vijayan and discussed the prevailing flood situation in the state. I have assured all possible assistance from the Centre to the state government. The relief and rescue ops are going on. MHA is closely monitoring the flood situation," the home minister said in a tweet. Mr Singh is also scheduled to undertake an aerial survey of the state's flood-affected areas tomorrow.
Here are the LIVE updates of the Kerala floods:
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Congress President @RahulGandhi writes to @PMOIndia, highlighting the damage caused by torrential rains in Kerala and urges him to extend cooperation of the Central Govt and provide sufficient funds to the state to aid relief and rehabilitation. @INCKerala pic.twitter.com/N3Wn0NRIK8
- Congress (@INCIndia) August 11, 2018
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's visit to the flood affected areas of Idukki, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram has started. Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, are accompanying him. pic.twitter.com/Zh1M0rK3si
- CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 11, 2018
