The situation in Kerala has "improved dramatically" as flood waters have receded everywhere, Union Minister KJ Alphons told NDTV today. The rescue part of the operations is almost over and the focus is now on the mammoth task of rebuilding homes, infrastructure and lives. 237 people have died in the torrential rainfall since August 8, almost a million were forced to leave their homes. Many of them no longer have homes to go back to. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested the Centre for additional help.